The Evolution of Locksmithing

Historically, a locksmith’s job was to engineer and create locks that were used to secure doors, safes, and other areas that needed protection or safeguarding.

A traditional locksmith was trained in metallurgy and possessed the mechanical aptitude to design and craft locks for consumers.  However, the Industrial Revolution and mass production had an effect on the focus of a locksmith’s job as he or she no longer had to spend time designing and creating and, instead, could focus on the upkeep, maintenance, and improvement of existing locks. Thus, the locksmith of more recent times, though he or she usually possesses the knowledge and ability to create locks, spends a majority of his or her day re-keying locksets, creating replacement keysfor ones that are lost, or fixing damaged locksets.

Today’s locksmiths are skilled problem solvers that can re-furbish an existing lock with replacement parts or troubleshoot to eliminate faults in design or previous installations.

Also changing the field of locksmithing today is the introduction of electronics as a means of gaining entry.  While earlier locks were typically opened with a key, there is incredible growth today in the use of electronic entry to cars, homes, and workplaces. The evolution of the electronic key fob, which had once been limited to automobiles, has created new possibilities for gaining and permitting access.  Owners of apartment and condo complexes and security managers of businesses can now use key fobs or key cards with technology like passive RFID tags to control access and add additional security.

The beauty of such technology is that those in control of the system can instantly eliminate or limit access with a few keystrokes—and without the need to track down someone’s key.

Of course, this growth in the use of electronic entry has forced another change in the training and continuing education of locksmiths.  That is why locksmiths at reputable companies like A-1 Locksmiths, in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, undergo extensive training and continually update their expertise.

Whether it is a problem is with a traditional lockset, a lockout situation, the need for replacement keys, or the desire to install a cutting-edge entry system, A-1 Locksmithhas the knowledge and experience to get the job done right.

A-1 Locksmiths can be reached at (972) 284-7585 and are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all your locksmithing needs.