The Geek Atlas

113

John M. Mossman Lock Collection, New York, NY

40° 45′ 19.18″ N, 73° 58′ 52.74″ W

Where the Tourists Aren’t

In midtown Manhattan, inside the home of the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen of the City of New York, is a small, barely known museum of over 370 bank and vault locks. Just two blocks from the madding crowd in Times Square, the John M. Mossman Lock Collection is a haven of peace, and a history lesson tracing locks from ancient Egypt to the 20th century.

Many of the locks on display are unique. Each was made for a particular purpose—often protecting a bank or vault. One of the locks, the Parautopic lock, was famous for being allegedly unpickable in the 19th century, and then infamous for being opened with ease by Linus Yale, Jr., who went on to help create the pin tumbler lock.

Many of the locks on display are quite beautiful—they have ornate designs and intricate gleaming mechanisms. Most are time locks, designed to protect bank vaults; they can only be opened at certain times on certain days.

The museum is a great opportunity to see locks you’ll rarely see anywhere else.

Practical Information

Visiting information for the Mossman Lock Collection is available from http://www.generalsociety.org/. Check with the Society before visiting, as the museum does not get ...