Genii magnetic lock

The Genii Magnetic Lock was sold in the USA by the Edmund Scientific Company in the late 1970s. It had the unique distinction of looking like a chrome padlock, but had no openings for a key to open the lock.

A magnetic key would be placed in a channel on the side to unlock the unit. This magnetic key was a simple chrome bar with several small magnets hidden inside, oriented so that the North / South Poles would equate to the proper combination to push or pull the internal tumblers thus releasing the lock. This is a totally passive system requiring no electricity or electronics to activate or deactivate the mechanism.Fact|date=October 2007

Traditional lock picking is virtually impossible and the passing of magnets along the outside didn't seem to be able to pick the lock either.Fact|date=October 2007

Besides being very unusual, another great aspect of this lock was that damage due to weather and normal exposure was minimal. Fact|date=October 2007

ee also

*Locks
*Lock picking
*Locksmithing
*Physical security

External links

[http://scientificsonline.com/default.asp Edmund Scientific Company] Locks are no longer sold by Edmund
[http://www.nectar.ttnet.net/ttnet/gotohtm/0/1303036303139393.htm Hsin Sheng Enterprise Co., Ltd.] Contemporary Source