History and todayThe unique ABLOY lock and key was invented in 1907 by Emil Henriksson, an office machinery mechanic in Helsinki, Finland. While repairing a cash register, he realised that the rotating cylindrical disks of the machine were eminently suitable for use as a lock mechanism. The first locks went on sale two years later and lock production at Ab Låsfabriken – Lukkotehdas Oy began in 1918. The name ABLOY is formed from the letters of this company’s name.