Padlocks

Padlocks were known early in time to the Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, and other cultures of the Near East, including the Chinese. It was believed that the padlock was first used as a "travel" lock to protect merchandise from brigands along ancient trade routes and seaboards and waterways where commerce was centered. Made in small sizes to those of tremendous proportions, they represented various geometric shapes, religious symbols, animals, fish, birds, hearts. They were operated by keys that turned, screwed, pushed, and pulled. For better efficiency, letter locks, or combination padlocks, were developed, which eliminated keys and operated by alignment of letters or numbers on revolving disks. Shown here is an American padlock dating back to the turn-of-the-century. In the popular circular shape, this lock was probably used on a huge strongbox. It has a single ward (obstruction) which the key bypasses to project the bolt.