History Of The Locksmith 2
It was not really until the Middle Ages however that locks requiring keys caught on in the West. Initially forging locks and keys was the job of the blacksmith who would shape the metal in much the same way they would forge a horseshoe or weapon. As crime rates increased this increased the need for locks and for more complex locking mechanisms (though at this time only the keys were metal and the locks themselves were wooden meaning they fell under the jurisdiction of the carpenter). This huge demand created an industry, leading to the rise of locksmith guilds around the 14th century which eventually overtook the trade and lay down regulations regarding pricing, design and quality. In order to rise through the ranks and become a master locksmith, an individual had to impress the authorities with their innovations which would then be put on display in the guild hall.