Lockers Past and Present
Written by Bob Martin, President of Ideal Products, Inc.
Today, the total market for lockers is estimated to be worth $1.2 trillion in 2019, expected to be $1.5 trillion by 2024 and it all seemed to start in ancient Greece approximately 2500 years ago. In his treatise on the Athenian republic written around 450 BC Xenophon writes there are three essential parts to competition and training center, besides actual runs and wrestling rings, some place where those who use them may undress and oil themselves before exercise and may wash themselves afterwords. Called the gymnasium and the palestra athletes trained and competed in these centers and man of all ages resorted to them for their daily exercise. Athletes would unclothe themselves for their sport events at the Gymnasium and left their personal belongings in the benched-lined dressing rooms in as secure as safe a place as possible very similar to cubbies or on shelfs with security provided by an attendant. Because these rooms were large and overpopulated the Greeks found it necessary to enact severe laws against theft. A law attributed to Solon imposed the penalty of death on any one who stole any object. Of course this same practice occurs today at major professional and college sports venues. And, all was safe as long as security was maintained by an attendant.
A locker is a small usually narrow storage compartment situated in a changing room, locker room, or dressing room. Locker rooms have historically and typically been a gender specific space where clothes are usually stored in lockers. They may have a locker room attendant who will keep person belongings until one comes to retrieve them. While the concept of a locker is relatively simple, they are a box that locks.
Since locks and thus lockers were invented people have locked up items of value. In North America and Europe the market is driven by demand from recreation centers, health clubs, hospitals, office break rooms, schools, restaurants, daycare facilities, pool areas, gyms, country clubs, fire and police departments.
Custom locker cabinets were built at the job-site by cabinet makers of wood and by 1923 W.N. Vance receives a U.S. patent for his metal locker design. Lyon Metal Products starts manufacturing metal lockers in 1924. Lyon merged with Durand Steel Locker Company of Chicago in 1928. Master Lock patented their padlocks in 1920. Worley starts manufacturing metal school lockers in Orinda, California in 1930. The side mounted single prong coat hook was patented in 1931.
Today, lockers are manufactured using metal, steel, stainless steel, plastic, solid phenolic, plastic laminate, wood and wood veneer. These lockers are pre-manufactured in limited sizes and colors and shipped off the shelf or custom made and manufactured to order.
Locking systems have evolved from very simple padlock hasp or keyed locks to the latest in keypad digital or RFID and WIFI actuated systems providing audit trails and management accounting. Lockers are anti-microbial, anti-fungal, guaranteed not to rot or warp using the latest in today technology in manufacturing using computer controlled cutting, milling, finishing, and assembly machines. The materials are designed to promote environment conservation and indoor health standards.
Ideal Products, Inc. has been manufacturing wood and plastic laminate lockers since 1982 and is very proud to offer their Imperial 1000 Series Natural Wood Veneer locker series which incorporates modern technology with Mother Nature’s beauty and elegance. Natural wood veneer lockers are simply gorgeous and stunning. Select from any of nature’s wood species or chose from one of our standards such as alder, red oak, maple, cherry, and mahogany. Each of these species of natural woods contains a unique color range from light to dark and offer grain patterns from heavy and tight to barely noticeable. Top off the elegance with a light, medium, or dark stain and premium grade clear satin finish.