Who Invented the Concept of a Key?

Since the time that people have acquired possessions, there has been a need for security. People made homes, formed communal units, and just hid their stuff when no other options were available. As people changed and evolved, so too did the sophistication of their precautions, until eventually people started keeping their valuable under lock and key.

The First Keys

The concept of a lock and key goes back as far as nearly 4,000 years ago and was invented by the Egyptians.

Process

A lock is a mechanism that keeps portals shut, whether they're doors, trunks, lockets or anything else that must be opened. A key fits into a lock, disabling the mechanism so that the portal, whatever it is, can be opened.

Varieties

Simple locks, those with heavy tumblers and innards that resemble clockwork, have given way to more advanced locks. Pad locks, push button locks and combination locks are fairly common, as are electronic locks that require a number or fingerprint ID to be accessed.

History

Since their creation, locks were used mostly by the wealthy since they were the ones who had houses and valuables that needed protecting. Throughout Egypt, Persia, Ancient Greece and Rome locks were made, and as civilization improved, so did the locks and keys.

Language

While today physical keys aren't as effective, whatever mode of access (fingerprint, voice print, combination or number code) is still referred to as a key.