The History of Skeleton Keys | Housecall Pro - Housecall Pro

The history of skeleton keys: How skeleton keys have changed the locksmith industry

Home » Business Marketing » The history of skeleton keys: How skeleton keys have changed the locksmith industry
A VPN is an essential component of IT security, whether you’re just starting a business or are already up and running. Most business interactions and transactions happen online and VPN
Share this:

Do you ever lose your keys and get that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach? Imagine losing the key to your home, or even worse, losing the key to your business. In the past, skeleton keys were used to open any door. Today, we still use them for some special purposes. Let’s take a closer look at the history of skeleton keys

Housecall pro Logo

Keep up with the latest trends in the home services industries

Housecall Pro offers a monthly newsletter complete with tips and advice on how to manage your home service business. Sign up today and get more content like this as well as access to free ebooks, guides, and webinars.

When did skeleton keys come about?

Skeleton keys have been around for centuries. In Rome, soldiers used them to open the doors of enemy homes and businesses so they could loot and pillage without having to break down the door.

Skeleton keys were also used in medieval times. At that time, they were known as “pass keys”. Nobles would give pass keys to their servants so they could enter and exit the castle without having to go through the main gate. 

Skeleton keys throughout history

In Egypt, skeleton keys were made of wood and were used to unlock doors and other important areas. Eventually, the Romans began using metal keys, which were more durable and less likely to break. 

In the Middle Ages, keys were made of iron and had large teeth that could pick the lock. Skeleton keys became very popular during this time because they could be used to open any door, regardless of the size or type of lock.

During the Renaissance, skeleton keys became even more popular. At this time, locksmiths began adding decorations to the keys to make them more visually appealing. The most common decoration was a skull, which is how the name “skeleton key” came about.

How they are used today

Skeleton keys became less common after the invention of locks that could be opened with a specific key. However, they are still used today for specific purposes. For example, some landlords kept a skeleton key so they could enter tenants’ homes in an emergency. Some businesses also use a skeleton key to give employees access to certain areas of the building.

While skeleton keys continued to be used throughout the centuries and are still used today in some antique locks, with modern locksmithing techniques, skeleton keys are no longer necessary to open most locks. 

Share this on:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Helpful articles about the field service industry, the latest news about the app, and downloadable templates you can use right now.

Recent Posts

Follow Us

Feature Focus

Sign up for our newsletter

By clicking ‘SUBSCRIBE’ you agree to our Terms of Service (including the mandatory arbitration provision) and you acknowledge you have read our Privacy Policy. You also consent to receive marketing calls or SMS messages relating to our business, including by automated dialer, to the number you provide, for marketing purposes. Consent to receive such communications is not a condition to using our services, and if you choose not to consent, you may join by calling 858-842-5746.

Signup now for our monthly newsletter.

Each month we send our Pros the latest news, advice, and feature updates to the Housecall Pro app. Don’t get left behind, signup today!

illustrated graphic of women in the trades

Join our Lady Pro Community!

Stay up to date on all things Lady Pros and have the chance to join our monthly online meetups, raffles, and more.