Security has been a concern of every household since the old ages. Humans constructed walls, brought in canines as pets and livestock as protectors, and built giant gates to keep intruders from entering uninvited. However, over time improvement was required. Basic walls and gates just didn’t solve the problem anymore, to secure your home, and protect your loved ones and yourself, you had to look for new ways.
With technology paving the path to a newer outlook of security, home-owners discovered many new additions to protecting their homes and valuables. But that too wasn’t a single giant leap. It was a step-by-step transition all the way from the Early Mediterranean civilizations to the present day of smart-tech. Let’s take a look at the interesting evolution story of Home Security Systems.
Don’t worry, it’s nothing to be alarmed of!
Wooden Locks
Archeological evidence proves that the early Romans, Greeks, and even the Egyptians used locks back in the day. However, these locks were mostly made out of wood as metal locks were pretty rare and expensive for domestic usage. As you would know, wooden locks weren’t as strong. A brute hit could break it down along with the doors so, many people still stick to dogs and livestock as natural alarms.
Thief Traps & Nightingale Floors
The Medieval Period and the Renaissance Era played a very important role in inspiring modern advanced security technologies. Although they lacked analytic technological knowledge, the ideas surrounding the safety of homes and Royal palaces were quite interesting. Hidden traps and caging were quite common within middle-class communities and it is during this period that fences were built to divide territories. Although these were bare of any security use, they did pose as an obstacle.
In Japan, Nightingale Floors were a different approach, they were mostly used in palaces, noble houses, and temples. It was undoubtedly one of the most outstanding alarm systems created back in the day. Although it was rare, these floors were joined to a system of metal nails located beneath the surface. Whenever an intruder walks on the surface, the nails would rub against the plates creating a loud noise which alerted homeowners of a person entering.
Door Chimes
Although today chimes are hung in houses as part of a stylish interior or above cradles to make babies giggle, back in the 18th century it was used as a doorbell. Especially in the lower-middle-class societies. They were hung at every prime entrance of a house so whenever somebody opens the door, it would notify the owners.
Chubb Lock
When chimes and traps didn’t really prove their efficiency, the Chubb Detector Lock made its first appearance in the early 19th century promising somewhat of an improved Lock. A lock that gave out a direct message, that this is a Lock. A Government exhibition/competition was held in 1818 where they were to find the most secure lock, and Chubb’s lock won the part. The first Detector Lock was unpicked until the 1854 Great Exhibition. However, it took some time until these locks made its debut to home security systems as wide production was not available.
Electro-Magnet Alarms
In the early 1850s’, a security person named Augustus Russell Pope patented the very first Electro-Magnet Alarm system which gave him a third ear at his job. These were made of magnets and electrical circuits which had connections to every door and window at his workplace in Boston. The alarms were unique as it was almost impossible to disable them. Initially, when doors are been opened by burglars the alarm would go on and even if he shuts it back the alarm will still continue which is made to stun and panic the burglar.
Pope’s creation has been something unique and new, hence why he is often considered as “The Father of the Modern Security Industry”, as the security technology that’s now in place was initially inspired by him.
Video Surveillance
The first video surveillance technology was discovered in the 1940s, but it was adapted for home security systems in the 70s’. Along came motion sensors and ultrasonic technology that enhanced the efficiency of this particular technology. During this period of time, the security industry was improving at a promising rate. When Infrared technology first emerged, it further enhanced the security system capability to decipher through false alarms. Soon by the 80s’, security became a fundamental part of home design structures.
Smart – Security
Today we are in the era of smart home security. Inspired by AI and advanced technology, modern-day homes are equipped with motion sensors, solar lights, smart locks and baby monitors to detect even the slightest movement of a potential intruder or even an animal. Most houses have high pixel surveillance cameras that could identify the individual’s face even at night. Unlike back in the day, Modern security, such as a doorbell camera, can be linked to any smartphone device or a tablet apart from monitors. So even if a person is on holiday far away from home, they can still access a full surveillance view of their house through their phones.
Smart security doesn’t only mean they protect one’s home. They also act as a home assistant. They help save electricity with thermostats, and be more organized and alerted with new and unique security systems such as Alexa, etc.
Wrapping Up
As we all know Technology keeps improving each day for our convenience. And looking at this evolution tale of Home security systems, we can be sure of one thing. Every time some new system emerges, it’s not always a completely new idea, it might be an inspiration of an old system we had back in the day. Whatever it may be, it surely is here to make our lives better.
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