Twenty Years Ago
Locksmith Wade Landrum discovered Kustom Key in Lake Havasu City, AZ. Jerry Levine listed the various key cutters used by key code machines. Intellikey explained how their products were meeting requirements at airports. Wade Landrum also visited Rytan, Inc. and provided a background on this interesting company. Mike Avena, Avco Key Supply, suggested adding profitable impulse items to your display area. According to Jerry Levine's column, three new code series will be added for GM locks in 1999. Kevin Moore, Lockmasters, offered servicing tips for opening safe deposit locks. Writer Wade Landrum visited the WalVaults factory and described the manufacturing process. Milt Wolferseder showed the inner boltworks of an antique Valentin & Butlers key safe. HPC presented their new economical Drill Mill for duplicating keys using a 1/4" or 3/8" electric drill for rotating the cutter blade. Jerry Levine listed the available vehicle keys offered by BWD.
Ten Years Ago
Tim O'Leary suggested tapping into the video surveillance market. Jerry Levine suggested some video surveillance items for residences. Tom Gillespie peeked into your tool box and revealed the hand tools a locksmith should be carrying to a job. Alan Foreman, Altronix Corp., explained how PoE can be used for network efficiency. Jerry Levine showed the assembly procedure for rekeying an Abus 41UK series padlock. Jerry Levine also demonstrated the steps required to install a Dorma interconnected lockset. Gale Johnson reported on a new Master Lock combination padlock equipped with Block Guard protection. Gale Johnson also introduced the new Strattec codeable padlock which can be set by the owner to their vehicle key. Gale Johnson listed a group of specialty keys for vending dispensers. Marshall Merrifield presented an article concerning his vision of the coming economic upswing and how to take advantage of it. Steve Young offered Part II on servicing Subaru Outback locks. Security Hardware Distributors Association (SHDA) presented several positive ideas on how each locksmith can help raise the image of our profession.
Historical Relic
Somewhere deep in the heart of Texas, a locksmith was on a job at a restored mansion built sometime in the early 19th century and discovered this lock still being used as a passage lock. In addition to having very ornate and finely designed door handles, the lock also had an unusual designed keyway. The keyway appears to be shaped to accept a bi-directional key. It took car makers 150 more years before bi-directional keys were the norm for vehicles while we may never see bi-directional keys used for residential locks before electronics takes over the market.
In this case a modern cylindrical deadbolt has been installed above the latch unit to provide security while the ornate lock is only used to keep the door latched. Perhaps one of you history buffs can identify the lock manufacturer and the key blank used for this lock which was at one time probably the best security money could buy.
