Prior to the widespread availability of modern, automated key duplication technology, keys were crafted using specialized, manually operated devices. These mechanical marvels, often constructed of cast iron and featuring intricate gearing systems, required skilled manipulation to precisely cut a new key based on the contours of an original. An exemplar might include a heavy, bench-mounted device with a hand crank, adjustable jaws for securing blanks, and a series of cutters controlled by levers and guides.
These tools represent a significant step in the evolution of security and locksmithing. Their development provided a more efficient and accurate method of key reproduction than traditional hand filing techniques, contributing to the wider adoption of more complex lock designs and enhancing personal and property security. Studying these historical devices offers insights into the ingenuity of earlier mechanical engineering and the historical development of security practices. Preservation and restoration of these devices contribute to maintaining a tangible link to this important technological heritage.
