10 Interesting Facts About Locks (That Every Melbourne Property Owner Should Know)

a collection of old locks
Most of us use a lock several times a day without ever thinking about how it works, where it came from, or how much it has changed over the last few thousand years.
But locks have a genuinely fascinating history, and knowing a little about them helps you make better decisions about the security of your own home or business.At VicLocks, we work with every kind of lock, from century-old hardware on heritage homes in Kew, to smart locks on brand-new apartments across greater Melbourne.

Here are ten things about locks that most people find genuinely surprising.

1. The Oldest Known Lock Is Around 4,000 Years Old

The earliest surviving lock mechanisms are believed to have originated in ancient Egypt, with similar wooden pin-tumbler designs later uncovered in the ruins of the palace of Sargon II at Khorsabad (in modern-day Iraq), dating back to around 704 BC.
These locks worked on the same basic principle used in most locks today: a set of pins held in place until a matching key lifts them to the correct height, allowing a bolt to slide free.
The materials have changed: timber became brass, and brass now sits alongside steel and electronics, but the underlying idea has remained remarkably consistent for four millennia.

2. The Modern Pin Tumbler Lock Was Patented in the 1860s

While the concept is ancient, the lock on your front door today almost certainly uses a refinement patented by American inventor Linus Yale Jr. in 1865.

His design used precisely cut brass pins inside a cylindrical plug, the same basic cylinder lock you’re still inserting your key into more than 150 years later. Yale’s patent effectively standardised the lock, making mass production viable for the first time.
standard cylinder tumber
Almost every standard residential door lock across Melbourne is a direct descendant of Yale’s 1865 patent.

3. One Famous Lock Went Unpicked for 67 Years

In 1784, English engineer Joseph Bramah displayed a lock in his London shop window with a bold challenge: whoever could pick it would be awarded 200 guineas, a small fortune at the time.

Engineer, Joseph Bramah and his unpickable lock

The Bramah Challenge Lock stood undefeated until 1851, when American locksmith A.C. Hobbs finally picked it during the Great Exhibition in London. It took him 51 hours of work spread across 16 days to do it.
No lock is truly “unpickable,” then or now. But the Bramah story is a useful reminder that a well-designed, well-maintained lock can resist determined attempts for a very long time, which is still true of good-quality modern hardware.

The First “Tamper-Evident” Lock Was Invented in 1818

Long before alarm systems and CCTV, English locksmith Jeremiah Chubb designed a lock that would tell you if someone had tried to pick it.

If anyone tampered with the Chubb Detector Lock, an internal lever would jam, and the lock would refuse to open until a special reset key was used. The owner would know immediately that something had happened.

Modern locks don’t work quite the same way, but checking for subtle signs of interference is still one of the most valuable habits a homeowner or business owner can build.

5. Harry Houdini Trained as a Locksmith’s Apprentice

Long before he became famous for his escape acts, Harry Houdini (born Erik Weisz) worked as a locksmith’s apprentice in Appleton, Wisconsin, as a boy.
He reportedly developed a knack for releasing people from handcuffs, a skill that would later define his stage career. Locksmithing has always attracted a particular mix of craftspeople, problem-solvers, and the occasional unusual character.

6. In Victoria, Your Locksmith Must Be Licensed by Victoria Police

This one is close to home. In Victoria, locksmithing falls under the private security industry and is regulated under the Private Security Act 2004, administered by the Licensing and Regulation Division of Victoria Police.

As of 19 June 2025, further reforms under the Private Security and County Court Amendment Act 2024 mean that many operators who were previously on a “registration” must now hold a formal licence to keep working legally.

For you as the customer, that matters. It’s a safeguard against untrained or unvetted operators attending your property, someone who is going to be working on the very hardware that keeps your family or your staff safe.

Before you book anyone, check that they hold current credentials.

7. “Lock Bumping” Can Open Many Standard Locks in Seconds

A technique called lock bumping, using a specially cut “bump key” and a light tap, can open a large number of ordinary pin tumbler locks in seconds, with very little skill required.

The technique became widely publicised in the mid-2000s, which drove the development of anti-bump pins and higher-security cylinder designs. Unfortunately, many older homes across Melbourne still have cylinders with no bump protection at all.

If your home is more than 15–20 years old and the cylinders have never been upgraded, it’s worth having them looked at.

8. Restricted Key Systems Make Unauthorised Copying Almost Impossible

If you’ve ever tried to copy a key and been told “sorry, that’s a restricted key,” this is why.

A restricted key system uses a patented, unique keyway profile registered to you or your business. The blanks aren’t sold at hardware shops or shopping-centre kiosks; they’re only available to authorised locksmiths, who can only cut a copy after verifying the request against the registered signatory.
Restricted systems are particularly popular in Melbourne for:
  • Apartment and townhouse complexes
  • Offices, medical clinics, and retail premises
  • Schools and childcare centres
  • Multi-tenant commercial buildings
  • Property managers handling multiple sites
It’s one of the most practical security upgrades a business can make, and in most cases it costs less than people expect.

9. Smart Locks Are Rising Fast, But They’re Only as Strong as the Door They’re On

Smart lock adoption has grown quickly across Melbourne over the last few years, especially in newer apartments, short-stay properties, and renovated homes.
They’re genuinely convenient. But a common misconception is that fitting a smart lock automatically makes a property more secure. In reality, a smart lock on a weak timber door with a flimsy strike plate is no more secure than a good deadlock on a solid door; the electronics don’t change the physics of how an intruder actually gets in.

Before investing in smart hardware, it’s worth having the underlying door, frame, hinges and strike plate properly assessed first. Get the fundamentals right, then add the convenience layer on top.

10. The Average Melbourne Home Has More Locks Than You Realise

If you stopped and counted, you’d probably find more than ten locking points around your property: front door, back door, laundry door, sliding door, windows, garage, shed, letterbox, garage roller, internal deadbolts, and side gate.
Most people never audit them. When something goes wrong with one: a key stops turning, a window latch gives up, it gets fixed in isolation, and nobody ever steps back to look at the whole picture.
A good time to do a full audit is:
  • When you move into a new home
  • After a break-in or attempted break-in
  • When keys have been lost or unaccounted for
  • When tenants, cleaners, or tradespeople change over
  • When you’re upgrading one lock anyway

Quick Reference: Common Lock Types at a Glance

Here’s a summary of the main lock types you’re likely to come across, and roughly where each one sits on the security scale.

 

Lock Type Common Use Security Level Notes
Warded lock Old internal doors, heritage homes Low Easily bypassed with a skeleton key; largely decorative now
Pin tumbler (standard) Most Melbourne homes Medium Vulnerable to bumping without anti-bump pins
Pin tumbler (high-security) Upgraded residential, commercial High Anti-bump, anti-pick, anti-drill features
Disc detainer Safes, padlocks, some front doors High Very difficult to pick without specialist tools
Restricted key system Apartments, businesses, property management High Unauthorised duplication almost impossible
Smart / electronic lock Modern homes, short-stay properties Variable Only as strong as the door, frame and PIN discipline

Why Any of This Matters for Your Property

Locks are one of those things you only think about when something goes wrong: a jammed cylinder, a lost key, a suspicious scratch around the keyhole. But the history and mechanics above point to something worth remembering:
  • Good lock design has always been a trade-off between security, convenience, and cost.
  • “Standard” is not the same as “secure.” Most homes use the same kind of lock that was patented in the 1860s, and most of those locks have never been upgraded.
  • Local regulation exists for a reason. Victoria’s licensing rules are there to protect you, so use them. Always check before you book.
If you’re not sure where your own locks sit on this scale, we’re happy to take a look. VicLocks works with homeowners, landlords and businesses across Kew and greater Melbourne, and we can usually tell within a few minutes whether a property is appropriately secured or due for an upgrade.
Contact VicLocks today for a clear, honest assessment of your property — whether you’re in a 1890s Kew terrace or a new-build apartment in the CBD.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the oldest trype of lock still in use today?

The pin tumbler lock. The core concept dates back roughly 4,000 years to ancient Egypt, and the modern refinement was patented by Linus Yale Jr. in 1865. Most Melbourne homes still rely on this design today.

Can any locks be picked?

In principle, yes, given enough time, tools and skill. But a well-designed modern lock can resist skilled attempts for hours, and in practice, most opportunistic intruders give up long before that. The famous Bramah lock went unpicked for 67 years.

Are smart locks more secure than regular locks?

Not automatically. A smart lock fitted to a weak door or frame is no more secure than a basic deadlock on a strong one. Physical security — the door, frame, hinges and strike plate still matter most.

Do locksmiths in Melbourne need a licence?

Yes. In Victoria, locksmithing is regulated under the Private Security Act 2004 and administered by Victoria Police. As of 19 June 2025, further reforms require most operators to hold a formal licence rather than the older “registration.”

How many locks does a typical Melbourne home have?

Usually more than ten, once you count every locking point, front and back doors, windows, sliding doors, garages, sheds, letterboxes, gates, and internal deadbolts.

What should I do if I think my lock has been tampered with?

Check whether it still locks properly and look for scratches, tool marks, or unusual stiffness. If anything looks or feels off, don’t rely on the lock. Have it assessed by a licensed locksmith. See our guide on how to tell if a lock has been tampered with.

How do I find a reliable locksmith in Melbourne?

Stick with locksmiths who are local to your area and hold a current Victorian private security licence. Ask for a clear, upfront quote (including any call-out fee) before booking, and be cautious of headline prices that look unusually low, as they often don’t include labour or parts.

For Kew and the surrounding eastern suburbs, VicLocks is a long-established local choice with a physical base in Kew and decades of hands-on experience across residential, commercial and emergency work.