Early beginnings

The roots of the combination lock go back to ancient Rome. Primitive forms of combination locks existed as early as the first century AD. These early locks were often made of wood or metal and used a simple mechanism in which discs with engraved numbers or symbols had to be aligned to open the lock.

Middle Ages and Renaissance

During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, locksmithing flourished. Combination locks became more complex and secure. Craftsmen in Europe developed sophisticated mechanisms that made it possible to create combination locks that were considered almost unbreakable for the time. However, these locks were often one-offs, made especially for wealthy customers or to protect treasures and important documents.

20th century

In the 20th century, combination locks underwent further development with the introduction of more robust materials and more precise manufacturing techniques. Combination locks became smaller, lighter and more secure, making them ideal for everyday use. These locks found widespread use in suitcases, lockers and bicycle locks.

Modern developments

Today, combination locks come in many different forms and applications. From biometric combination locks that use fingerprint or facial recognition to smart locks that can connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, the technology has continued to evolve to meet the demands of modern security.