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Cothron's News

3/3/2023

10 Interesting Facts About Locks / Locksmiths

 
Do you know what material was used to create the first locks? Do you know who invented the first automatic door bolt? Do you know how Cothron's got its start? Our latest blog post covers this and more
old door lock
Locks and keys have been around for thousands of years, and the history associated with the industry and some of its main players is fascinating. From early wooden locks and the reasoning behind certain security features to famous locksmiths and family-owned businesses, read on to learn 10 neat facts about the world of locksmiths.

1. Locks have been around for more than 6,000 years, as an early version was found at Nineveh, the capital of ancient Assyria. These security features started out with carved wooden designs and became more advanced in the 18th century, due to metal works.

​2. Famed escape artist Harry Houdini was a locksmith, and Nick Hoffman, the chief curator at The History Museum at the Castle (previously The Houdini Historic Center), spoke on the topic. "This bobby pin from his collection has clearly been adjusted, bent open, and maybe he was using it to sort of practice an escape. So this is just a really, really neat thing to see…this manipulated bobby pin to pick a lock." Hoffman continued, saying, "One of the things he loved to do is palm the keys to make some sort of lock pick. So he would put some sort of clay in his hands and then very carefully, when he had the key, push it down into his palm and then that clay would take the form of the key and then he could have his carpenters and other assistants make a pick." ​
harry houdini bobby pin
Via The History Museum at the Castle
3. Linus Yale Sr. opened a lock shop in the 1840s, leading to the creation of a pin tumbler lock. His son, Linus Yale Jr., joined him, enhanced the design, patented the Yale cylinder lock, and then started Yale & Towne in 1868.

4. In 1857, James Sargent started the James Sargent Lock Company and went on to provide the U.S. Treasury Department with safe locks and to invent products like the first time lock for bank vaults. 

5. Originally, Samuel Segal was a police officer, which led to the
 original Segal lock in 1912, as a way to help protect people from "jimmying" doors open. 

6. In the early 1920s, the Master Lock Company was established by Harry Soref, known for his laminated steel-cased lock patent.

7. The first automatic door bolt was created by William F. Banham in 1926, due to break-ins he and his wife experienced. After that, he started up his own company – which later became Banham Security – and agreed to pay people £25 if they could pick his new lock.

8. Cothron’s was founded by Mr. Olen Cothron in 1948, and it started out as a small kiosk on Congress Avenue. Today, the company is one of Central Texas' premier security providers and is still family owned and operated: Olen’s son, Steve, serves as the CEO; Steve’s children, Angela and Andy, are head of accounting and high security, respectively; Angela’s husband, Daniel Powers, is the brand’s operations manager; and Daniel’s cousin, Vanessa Len Herrera, is the dispatch supervisor. There are several parents/children and siblings (not related to the Cothrons) that are employed by this business, too!
Olen Cothron
Olen Cothron
9. As a leader in locksmithing and security, did you know that Cothron's also makes and sells custom tools? These can be used for installing latches, swing bolts, locksets, paddles, and levers, ​as well as for opening door knobs and lever sets.

10. Many think locksmiths just help people get into their locked cars and houses. While that is certainly part of the job, services go far beyond this. Cothron's, in particular, provides:
--
a wide range of commercial doors and frames, with a specialized crew that tackles everything from new installation and construction to remodels, repairs, and replacements. 
--
safes of all types, which can be delivered, installed, rented, serviced, and repaired. 
--electronic security options ranging from alarms and video surveillance cameras to keyless entry and employee access. 
--
a hardware counter with supplies like keys, mechanical & electrical door hardware, and door frames. 
--
locksmithing, which – in addition to lockouts – includes rekeys, lock replacements, door realignments, installations of exit devices, door closers, fire-rated hardware & automatic door openers, and much more.
​

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7/21/2022

25 Reasons (Beyond A Lockout) You May Need A Locksmith

 
People tend to think locksmithing only involves home and vehicle lockouts, but these security professionals do so much more!
locksmith picking open door
Locksmithing has been around for thousands of years, and early locksmiths focused on shaping locks and keys, piece by piece, out of metal. 

In today’s time, many picture this career consisting of lockout calls to get people back into their vehicles, homes, or places of work.

However, the job goes far beyond that, as these security professionals spend their days at various houses and businesses, repairing, installing, replacing, and maintaining the keys, locks, hardware, and security features on doors, cars, safes, and more.

Beyond being locked out, you may need a locksmith for the following services:

Keys 
  • Developing and implementing master key systems 
  • Granting end-user key control and preventing unauthorized key duplication or rekeying with restricted key systems
  • Replacing lost and stolen keys 
  • Duplicating keys
  • Setting up single-key access​
lock and key
Locks
  • Installing locks, including smart locks, battery-operated electronic locks, and fresh install mortise locks
  • Replacing or repairing locks 
  • Rekeying locks
Door Hardware 
  • Installing strike plates, peepholes, panic bars & emergency exit door devices, door sweeps, weather stripping, latch guards, and door closers 
  • Helping to reduce the spread of germs/bacteria with no-touch solutions like antimicrobial levers, motion sensors, and foot-operated door openers
  • Realigning doors
  • Servicing aluminum/glass storefront openings 
  • Adjusting and replacing pivots
door hardware
Auto (an in-store service only)
  • Supplying and programming chip keys and fobs 
  • Extracting broken keys
  • Rekeying auto locks
Safes
  • Opening safes 
  • Changing manual dials to electronic keypads
  • Updating combinations
  • Replacing or repairing safes
Security Systems, Access Control & Electronic Security 
  • Installing security cameras
  • Installing access control systems 
  • Installing and repairing electric strikes
  • Setting up wireless lock systems
  • Upgrading security hardware 
So, yes, if someone is locked out, they should certainly call a locksmith. But there are so many other important aspects of this job. It has evolved, with new techniques, technological advancements, and modern hardware, and today, those in this field are truly all-around security professionals.
​

To schedule your locksmith service, fill out this form or call Cothron’s today at 512-472-6273!

    Locksmith News & Security Blog

    As Austin's oldest and most trusted locksmith and security company, Cothron's provides industry updates and resources through its blog.

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Stores / Service Centers

South Austin

1315 W Ben White
Austin, TX 78704
​512-447-1883
M-F: 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Sat: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

North Austin

8225 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78757

512-454-9547
M-F: 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Sat: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. ​

Round Rock

2119 N Mays
Round Rock, TX 78664

512-246-3979
M-F: 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Sat: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. ​
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Corporate Office

8120 Exchange Drive,​ Ste 100
Austin, TX 78754
512-472-6273
License # B10744

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