10 Years Ago
Jerry Levine’s article on hospital security took an early look at touchless openings and antimicrobial door hardware, seven years before anyone heard of COVID. The article also addressed code and regulatory compliance. Dortronics provided an article on controlling access to clean-room environments by using mantraps and interlock controllers. Levine also tested the new Command Access LPM180 electrified mortise lock. Gale Johnson reported on selling and installing electromagnetic locks. Articles on video surveillance discussed recurring monthly revenue possibilities and installation of a CCTV system at a 24-hour gym. The Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association explained BHMA standards that apply to door, cabinet and window hardware. An automotive report noted that more than 90 percent of the vehicles manufactured for the 2012 model-year were equipped with transponder-based engine immobilizer systems and listed the compatible JMA transponder-cloning machines on the market. Johnson shared tips on fitting keys to Honda motorcycles. Steve Young provided “A Brief History of Vehicle Entry Procedures” and concluded that lock-picking was the trend of the future. He confirms that trend in an article on vehicle opening in this issue, 10 years down the road.
20 Years Ago
Electromagnetic locks were featured in the November 2002 issue. Jerry Levine reported on the installation of a Securitron Magnalock. Tim O'Leary introduced the line of 101S Emlock products by Security Door Controls. O'Leary also showed how to field-modify Trine EN series electric strikes. Levine wrote about keypad units available from Rutherford Controls. He also showed the new remote release power mag kit from Alarm Lock. Joy Skowron, STRATTEC Security, showed locksmiths the new tumblers required to service GM "Z" keyway locks. Tom Gillespie suggested the Sprinter as a perfect van for locksmith work. A.J. Hoffman offered the calculations for pinning an IC core override cylinder for the Schlage Cobra lock. Mary Pike wrote about her enterprise, a combination beauty salon and locksmith business in Granbury, Texas. Donald Dennis explained the line of picks from Peterson Manufacturing. Jeff Trepanier also showed how to fit keys to a Chevrolet T6500 truck, which was actually a rebadged Isuzu. Earl Halls from Adesco Safe (later acquired by FireKing) offered ideas on how to sell safes.
Some Automobile History
On Oct., 8, 1908, Henry Ford introduced the first Model T car, which cost a hefty $825 and brought vehicle ownership to the masses for the first time. Production continued until 1927, with around 15 million Model T’s manufactured in Detroit.
Early automobiles didn’t have locks. (Some didn’t even have doors.) Starting a car required drivers to manually crank the engine. Historians disagree slightly on when the first door, trunk and ignition locks were introduced.
Chrysler and Ford began to use pin tumbler door lock systems in the 1930s. Ignition and door locks generally were keyed alike, and key codes were printed somewhere on the cylinder housing.
Ford began to use Hurd locks in 1932 and carried the same Ilco keyway through 1951. Fortunately, the key code was printed on every lock.
In the 1940s, Chrysler introduced vehicles equipped with ignition tumblers that could start cars. Locking systems were entirely mechanical, with no electronic parts.
For information on servicing classic car locks, read Gale Johnson’s article, “A Look Back at Vintage Auto Locks,” at https://locksmithledger.com/10228044.
