Joseph Bramah patented the safety lock in 1784. Bramah’s lock was considered unpickable. He also went on to create a Hydrostatic Machine, a beer-pump, the four-cock, a quill-sharpener, a working planer, and more.
The Bramah Lock: A Revolutionary Design
Radial (or Cylinder) Design
Bramah’s lock was unlike the common lever or warded locks of the time. It used a cylindrical key and sliding wafers inside a round barrel. The key had notches cut at different depths around its edge. Each notch would push a corresponding wafer into the perfect position, allowing the lock to open.
This made the lock extremely precise—and incredibly hard to manipulate, but was it unpickable.
Manufacturing Precision
At the time, producing such intricate parts was groundbreaking. The lock required such tight tolerances that it was considered a marvel of mechanical engineering. Few craftsmen had the tools or ability to replicate it.
The Challenge: Bramah’s Famous Sign
Outside Bramah’s shop in London was a sign that read:
“The artist who can make an instrument that will pick or open this lock shall receive 200 guineas the moment it is produced.”
That’s roughly £20,000 today. The challenge stood unclaimed for 67 years.
The Lock Is Finally Picked (Sort Of)
In 1851, American locksmith Alfred C. Hobbs finally picked the Bramah lock at The Great Exhibition in London. But it took him over 50 hours across multiple days using custom-made tools. Hobbs admitted that while he picked it, doing so discreetly in real life would be impossible.
Why the Bramah Lock Was So Hard to Pick
- No standard pins or tumblers: It used radial wafers instead of conventional lock parts.
- Deep internal mechanism: You couldn’t see or feel the wafers easily.
- Tight tolerances: Required tools as precise as a watchmaker’s to interact with it.
- Spring-loaded wafers: Added resistance and complexity.
Is the Bramah Lock Still in Use?
Yes. The Bramah Lock Company still produces high-security locks today. Their modern versions are updated for today’s standards but based on the original design.
They’re still considered high-security and are used in applications like:
- Government buildings
- Secure storage rooms
- High-value commercial doors
Conclusion
Joseph Bramah’s lock wasn’t just hard to pick—it was a milestone in lock-making. For nearly 70 years, it stood unchallenged and set the benchmark for mechanical security. Even today, Bramah locks remain a symbol of engineering excellence and protection.Stay Safe!!!
