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References & Edit History Related Topics

Images

Figure 1: Ancient Egyptian lock

Figure 2: Contemporary version of the Yale lock (Left) All pins lifted to proper height by correct key, which can be turned to open lock, and (right) pins lifted to incorrect height by wrong key, lock will not open

Figure 3: Warded lock and key

Figure 4: Barron tumbler lock, 1778

Figure 5: Bramah lock, 1784

Figure 6: Combination safe lock The lock cannot be opened until the slots on the three wheels are in line; movement of the dial is transmitted to each wheel by a system of pins (in practice much shorter than shown), arms, and studs

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An ancient egyptian hieroglyphic painted carving showing the falcon headed god Horus seated on a throne and holding a golden fly whisk. Before him are the Pharoah Seti and the goddess Isis. Interior wall of the temple to Osiris at Abydos, Egypt.

11 Egyptian Gods and Goddesses

Young boys working in a thread spinning mill in Macon, Georgia, 1909. Boys are so small they have to climb onto the spinning frame to reach and fix broken threads and put back empty bobbins. Child labor. Industrial revolution

The Rise of the Machines: Pros and Cons of the Industrial Revolution

Franklin D. Roosevelt, who formulated the Four Freedoms.

7 Alphabet Soup Agencies that Stuck Around

Close up of periodic table, focus on nickel, copper, zinc, palladium, silver, cadmium

When Was the Periodic Table Invented?

Camel at Khor Rori, Oman; mammal.

Do Camels Store Water in Their Humps?

Bar graph of the United States Death Toll during major events. Infogram chart.

U.S. Death Toll During Major Events

Calendar marking march 15th

22 Questions About Time and Timekeeping Answered

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Written and fact-checked by The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Photos

Figure 1: Ancient Egyptian lock

Figure 2: Contemporary version of the Yale lock (Left) All pins lifted to proper height by correct key, which can be turned to open lock, and (right) pins lifted to incorrect height by wrong key, lock will not open

Figure 3: Warded lock and key

Figure 4: Barron tumbler lock, 1778

Figure 5: Bramah lock, 1784

Figure 6: Combination safe lock The lock cannot be opened until the slots on the three wheels are in line; movement of the dial is transmitted to each wheel by a system of pins (in practice much shorter than shown), arms, and studs

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Topics

key pin tumbler Yale lock warded lock time lock padlock Newell lock combination lock Bramah lock Barron lock computer security fence fire prevention and control doorstop

Key People

Charles Chubb

British inventor