Thursday, 13 February 2014
You might have heard of Master Lock, but do you know the story of the lock maker and the world famous escape artist Houdini?
The company, and its founder, played a huge part in the illusionist's career. You could even say that without the help of one Harry, another might not have been such an enduring name.
Master Lock padlocks are considered to be amongst the very best in the business. The brand is recognised the world over, but without the bravery and genius of one man, the company and its ultra secure laminated steel locks would not exist. That man was Harry Soref.
They all laughed at Harry Soref when he tried to patent the laminated padlock. Engineers and patent lawyers said it was too costly and difficult to make. But that's what Harry did. He perfected and patented the laminated padlock from a single room in small commercial building in Milwaukee.
At the height of the prohibition, the Pabst brewery had been forced to close its door, allowing a company of just 5 people to take advantage of the space in a cut price deal. Here, the world's strongest padlock was born.
Ironically, the padlocks were so successful that Soref’s Master Lock brand was commissioned to ship almost 150,000 locks to federal agents in NYC. These locks were used to lock down many of New York's speakeasies and illegal breweries.
When you need advice on padlocks, you seek out the best; and that’s what Harry Houdini did after failing to escape from a pair of Sheriff's handcuffs. The man famous the world over travelled to Milwakee to meet with padlock pioneer, Soref.
The lock expert and the escape artist were able devise a number of methods for using keys and locks within his act. Harry Soref devised tricks for hiding keys between his fingers and under his tongue which Harry Houdini then used in his death defying stage acts all over the world.
It's a fantastic story and one which illustrates just how important the Master Lock brand has been.
Author: Stephen Wylde - Director
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