Keys have come a long way since their invention and use 6,000 years ago in ancient Babylon and Egypt. Ancient keys were wooden, bulky, and heavy compared to the modern metal keys of today which are compact and lightweight. There is a wide variety of different types of keys that are still used today, each with unique features that make them ideal for a specific purpose.
Car Keys
Transponder Key
Transponder keys contain a microchip inside that sends an electronic signal to the car when a button is pressed, locking or unlocking it accordingly. These keys are often combined with laser-cut keys for added security and are expensive to duplicate. Some cars will even completely shut down if an incorrect transponder key is used.
Laser Cut Key
Laser-cut keys are also known as sidewinder keys due to the pattern cut into both sides of the key blade. This type of key is highly secure and difficult to copy, making it more difficult for intruders to access your vehicle.
Valet Key
Valet keys allow limited access to your car by only allowing the door locks and ignition system to be operated while preventing access to the glove compartment or trunk, helping ensure that your belongings stay secure while being serviced by valets.
Vehicle Anti-Theft Key (VAT)
Vehicle anti-theft keys provide another layer of security with an additional chip embedded into the blade itself which makes it difficult to duplicate or replace if lost or stolen. It is often used in combination with other car security systems for optimal protection.
Commercial Building Keys
Card Key
Card keys are commonly found in hotels where they can be programmed to open certain doors or multiple doors depending on the user’s authorization level. They contain magnetic strips that can easily be reset many times over and can also be found in hospitals, government buildings, banks, and any other building where access needs to be restricted for certain individuals.
Master Key
Master keys allow multiple individuals access to several rooms within one building without having to carry a bunch of individual keys around with them all the time. In case one key is misplaced or lost you still have access through the master key until it can be replaced securely again. However this type of key isn’t suitable for high-security areas due its level of accessibility among multiple people at once.
Skeleton Key
Skeleton keys have been filed down until they become master keys which enables them to unlock many different doors quickly and easily without needing extra authorization levels beyond what’s already provided on each individual key blade itself.
Magnetic Key
Magnetic keys use a series of magnets within the lock mechanism itself which pushes and pulls internal tumblers in order release it when activated properly – these locks tend not be picked as easily as standard locks but don’t require any electricity either so they’re fairly low maintenance overall.
Residential Keys
Mechanically Cut Key
Most homes still come equipped with standard door knob locks and deadbolts which come with basic mechanically cut keys – these types of locks are easy enough for most people to duplicate themselves at self-service cutting machines so they don’t offer much security but can be upgraded if desired by installing added security systems onto windows/doors or using other locking mechanisms instead such as padlocks or diary locks etc. Mechanically cut keys were also popularly used on older cars before transponders came along as well as smartkeys too so there’s certainly some amount of history associated with this type overall still even though it’s usage has decreased drastically overtime due primarily safety concerns etc..
