Ziptide July 2015

July 1, 2015

Keys Still Needed

Editor’s Note: The following letter from former Locksmith Ledger owner and Unican Security Systems founder Aaron Fish is in response to Technical Editor Jerry Levine’s recent blog, “No More Keys?” Read the blog at www.locksmithledger.com/12063536. Aaron Fish is also the author of the book “Under Lock & Key.” which chronicles an approximate time period in the lock industry between 1950 to 2000.

Editor:

I could not overlook the May issue with the Ziptide heading “No More Keys?”.

The introduction of electronics with miniature circuits and miniature motors has opened new applications. The introduction of transponders in automobile keys have, by their very nature (expense), reduced the number of spare keys people are making for their automobiles. RFID cards have reduced the need for metal keys.

Having said all that, the metal key, as we know it, is not about to bite the dust. My sense is that within the residential market – give it two years – dead batteries among other reasons for lockouts, the metal key will return.

No matter the system, one still needs a mechanical key to by-pass. Best example: high end cars!

We, in North America and the Western world, will use fewer metal keys; however, their demise is somewhat premature.

Hope this finds you well.

Aaron Fish

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