A dissertation on the construction of locks

Bramah, Joseph.

Publication Date: 1785

About this Item

[TECHNOLOGY] [HI-SECURITY] Bramah, Joseph. A dissertation on the construction of locks : containing, first, reasons and observations, demonstrating all locks, which depend on fixed wards, to be erroneous in principle, and defective in point of security : secondly, a specification of a lock, constructed on a new and infallible principle, which, possessing all the properties essential to security, will prevent the most ruinous consequences of house robberies, and be a certain protection against thieves of all descriptions :London : Printed for the author, sold by R. Baldwin, [1785?] 8vo., 20.5 x 13 cm. [2], 46 pgs., [1] modern 3/4 calf and marbled boards, red morocco spine, peeling to head and foot of spine. Internally, lightly toned but very good with the cooper engraved plates. A Joseph Bramah s Precision lock was one of the most unbreakable locks of first half of the 19th century and the FIRST KNOWN HI-SECURITY LOCK DESIGN- a true technological marvel. The original Bramah lock had 18 different wafers, which allowed for 470 million possible permutations" [Wikipedia]. The lock was famously picked by Alfred Charles Hobbs at the Great Exhibition of 1851, sending shivers down the backs of wealthy homeowners and forcing lock manufacturers to improve their designs. The work is extremely rare in commerce and really a cornerstone, through modern eyes, of any collection focus on security.

Seller Inventory # ABE-1470517044515

Bibliographic Details

• Title: A dissertation on the construction of locks
• Publication Date: 1785
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Very Good