Learn all about this system in case you encounter it in the field. by William M. Lynk, CML, CPS, ICML, CMIL, CAI, M.Ed. place to protect preexisting customers. So, why the buzz? I still receive emails and calls from institutional locksmiths about specifics on the A 30 Corbin Russwin Emhart High Security System. One young locksmith inherited an Emhart system when he changed institutional jobs and told me he was overwhelmed; he had no knowledge of this system in his previous position. So, aside from what can be found in the tech manual, it’s time to educate our friends and dispel rumors that abound in a simple, explanatory fashion. We never know what the future may bring, but being prepared is an excellent tool. Historical Perspective I know many locksmiths cringe at the thought of reading “historical background,” but I put it forth because many of us have no idea where we came from. In light of so many “masters” retiring and passing away, it’s essential that we remind each other of the past. This duty seems left to only a few of us to continue that torch. More importantly, it puts into proper perspective the “hows” and “whys” of a product line, from its inception to retirement. That could be the missing bit of information you might need to make sense out of an existing system. If you are totally against knowing what has happened in the past (not sure why you would be), then just skip this section. Corbin & Russwin Both the Corbin and Russwin companies have a distinguished history that dates back more than a century and a half and can be traced to a long lock heritage throughout New England. Let’s see why. KEYNOTES JANUARY 2022 s a system Emhart is still extant, though waning in usage. That’s because it’s a high security keying system that’s only being supported for existing systems (and there are many). Thus, new systems for it are not be- ing created. Why? The patent on Emhart ran out in 1995, but many of the key blanks are still restricted, and the manufacturer still has a tight hold in The story begins with Henry Russell and Cornelius Erwin, who were plate lock manufacturers in 1839. Unbeknownst to them, 47 years later, they would create a trademark that would be known world- wide: Russwin. During this time, a man by the name of Linus Yale was designing and manufacturing locks. Who would have guessed that many years later the companies would all be joined under one roof? But large mega-mergers and acqui- sitions were certainly not the norm in the early to mid-1800s. Ten years later, in 1849, Philip and Frank Corbin, with Ed Doen, formed a company by the name of Doen, Corbin & Company. Only two years later, Rus- sell & Erwin incorporated their business and named it Russell and Erwin Manu- facturing Company. Fiſty years later, the companies would marry, but first, a name change was in the stars. In 1852, Ed Doen sold off his stock holdings with Russell and Erwin Manufacturing Company, and it was renamed P. and F. Corbin Corp., a renowned company name that would last for more than a century. Russell and Erwin Mfg. Co. was still going strong and used the Russwin trade name for the first WWW.ALOA.ORG
