Tradition

The word 'Security' is derived from the Latin word 'se cura', which means to be without concern or care, and to be free from debt.

People have always had the need to protect the things that are of most importance and value to them. Early humans, the Hunters and Gatherers, hid their 'treasures' under stones and in caves as a way to protect their possessions from wild animals, competing humans, and natural elements. 

As time went on and technology increased, people would develop tools made from various types of metal; they would also progress in further enhancing their handcrafting techniques and skills in craftsmanship. The outcome of this progression would lead to the development of safe buildings, constructed primarily from stones and wood, and equipped with doors, chests, and eventually locks. These early safety devices became the medium of protection, security, and storage for coins, jewellery, expensive decorations, and other objects of value. All throughout history, from pre-history, through the Middle Ages, and on to today, having a means to safely take care of one's valuables has become not only an item of high importance, but also a necessity. 

With the ending of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, many changes in technology would take place. In the 18th Century James Watt invented the steam engine; that resulted in the transformation of Europe. This invention set the scene for the industrialization of Central Europe - especially Germany. The first savings banks were also created during that time - the time of Napoleon. As the demand for more reliable safety devices increased with the times, so too would the need for new kinds of safety devices. As a result, chests and locks were improved, and eventually, safety deposit boxes would become available. 

Finally, the world would see its first safe factory in England in the year 1795. Soon after, in 1813, Germany would also set up its first safe factory. The result afterwards was that the manufacturing of safes would greatly increase, giving the 19th Century the reputation of being the "Century of the Safe Industry."

 

Safe Manufacturers 

By the second half of the 18th Century, safety chests would start being placed upright and equipped with doors.

Later, with the rapid changes in industrial and technological development of the 19th Century, and with the advancement of manufacturing as a whole, many new inventions, including a new generation of locks and safety devices, would appear. 

Also, during that time, the newly invented steam engine begin being built in Germany. The railroad industry also gained great popularity. Further, during this time of rapid industrialization, a pioneer, Friedrich Krupp, opened the first steel-casting factory, located in Essen, Germany. And with the upswing in manufacturing, the constant inflow of new inventions, and further development in technology, financial capital was created. As wealth increased, so too did the demand for security. 

Also, the 19th Century was a time of war and social tension across the world, and especially in Europe. During that time, financial transactions continued to be done in the form of cash - even despite the availability of banking. As a result of the Century's political instability, demand for security was at an all time high. Individual blacksmiths, locksmiths, and craftsman worked hours on end in order to keep up with the rate of demand for safety chests and containers - sometimes not being able to meet that demand. 

A new process of accelerating the production of these safety devices became necessary. The result was that master craftsmen opened their own factories and began manufacturing safes. The process of manufacturing these beautiful safes was very complex, considering that one craftsman would hand-make his own safe, from start to finish. 

When making the first safes, the first step was to take iron plates and weld them together at their seams. As time went on, these simple-constructed safes would evolve into elaborately designed works of art. Combining talent and centuries of European tradition in quality and craftsmanship, European craftsmen made very beautiful, unique safes - giving birth to true masterpieces. 

Artists and sculptors would also influence the appearance of safes. These artisans crafted special, unique designs; many following the classical artistic tradition that had already been in place when making the beautiful money chests from earlier times. Additionally, special closing mechanisms were constructed on these safes, making it almost impossible for an unwanted party to break into them.