The need to secure personal items has existed throughout human history. When you need to lock up possessions, nothing is more dependable than a safe. Today, most take the wide availability of these devices for granted and can’t imagine living without them. So, where did these useful tools come from? The guide below explores their creation and transformation.

Where Safes Come From & Where They Are Now

The Origins

There are several early forms of what could be considered a safe. Ancient chests and caskets with locks can be traced back as far back as Ancient Egypt. The first modern fireproof version was most likely invented in 1834 by engineer William Marr. This heavy-duty container was built with double walls of steel insulated with crushed marble, porcelain, and clay. By the mid-1800s, banks caught on to the value of securing client funds this way, and other businesses began to lock up their profits as well. Rosengrens, based in Sweden, was one of the leading suppliers. They pioneered many essential features, such as the mechanical combination lock in 1954 and the resettable lock key in 1965.

The Many Types

Safes come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles to suit different purposes. Families with firearms often purchase one to keep guns out of children’s reach. These can be small enough for a single handgun or large enough to hold shotguns. You might use a petite version to tuck away precious items like jewelry, cash, and family heirlooms. Safe boxes are a bit larger but still relatively compact; they often carry important documents and can be bolted to the ground to prevent theft. If you need to take valuable belongings with you as you travel, a portable kind is the perfect lightweight solution.

All of these can lock via several devices. The most popular types include combination locks, keypads, and keyholes. You can even get a biometric mechanism, which will only open with your fingerprint. Many devices use multiple locks as backups. No matter what your security needs, a safe is an excellent way to protect what’s yours.

Do you need secure storage to stow your possessions at home? Stop by R & S Rare Coins to shop their diverse collection of durable, fortified safes. This business serves the Cabool, MO, community and offers a wide range of rare and collectible items, including vintage jewelry, bullion, and gold and silver coins. If you’re looking to sell, their experts will price your items fairly and compensate you in cash. To speak with a friendly staff member about their wares, call (417) 962-5213. Get updates on their Facebook page.