Brahmah Lock Advertisement (circa 1800)

[MacGyver101]

I was doing some historical research on locks, and ran across this 200-year-old advertisement for Brahmah locks (circa 1800), and thought some others might enjoy the bit of history:



The scan (my only source) is a bit fuzzy... here's a transcription:

Those who wish to enjoy the satisfaction arising from a perfect confidence that their property is inviolably secured, as far as inviolable security depends on a Lock, are respectfully informed that Patent Locks, the admired invention of Mr. Bramah, engineer, Piccadilly, London, which the scientific world has long acknowledged as adequate to that purpose, (and which are manufactured by him) are sold by commission at B. Hobson's, Ironmonger, York.

The slightest examination of the principle on which these Locks are constructed, will plainly demonstrate that it renders them inaccessible to the common pick-lock, precludes the possibility of obtaining false keys, and effectually secures their essential parts against every effort that art or ingenuity can employ against them.

The more things change, the more they stay the same...

[MacGyver101]

Sigh... it must be late: I managed to misspell his name twice in the above post... it is, of course, Joseph Bramah.

[JackNco]

Nice, i just won a Bramah on ebay. although its a pin tumbler not one of there really odd looking things.

Good find

[Legion303]

That's pretty nice. Also, compare the respectful wording of the ad to ones you see today (words slightly altered to avoid filter changes):

"You want a good lock, b*tch? These extreme locks will slap your momma on the *ss!" (insert unrelated video of extreme snowboarder backflipping over a cliff).

The sad thing is, I'm old enough to remember ads and commercials that weren't targeted at teenagers with ADD. :/

Back on topic, good find.

-steve

[digital_blue]

Yeah, I hear what you're saying Legion... but... how many companies these days want to be known as "adequate to that purpose". Somehow, I just don't see Nike jumping onboard for the "adequate for running" campaign.
And not jut them. Observe:


Trojan: Adequate to keep her honest
Goodyear: Adequate to keep you on the road
Ford: Quality is adequate
American Airlines: We'll get you there, and it'll be adequate.

See? Just doesn't have the same ring to it, now does it?



db

[JackNco]

That said on a short flight i just want the cheapest to get me there.

[MacGyver101]

[...]how many companies these days want to be known as "adequate to that purpose".

I was wondering, when I read that wording, whether the advertisement was actually written after Hobbs (with considerable interest from the press) had finally claimed Bramah's prize by picking his Challenge Lock at the Exhibition in 1851. Bramah's backing away from "unpickable" to "adequate to that purpose" may be similar to Medeco's backing away from their earlier "unpickable" claims.