Overview Since 1840 we have protected homes and peace of mind. Our story started in a small lock shop in the US when Linus Yale created his first lock innovation. We have evolved together with people and society from a mechanical innovator to driving the evolution of connected, smart locks and homes. Our brand stands on the solid ground of trust, knowledge, and heritage, making durable, quality products. That is why we still exist today and in more than 120 markets. Everything Yale is today; we owe to the ingenuity of Linus Yale. He opened his first shop for handmade bank locks around 1840 and soon thereafter a lock factory in Newport, USA to manufacture the unique pin-tumbler lock he had developed. Till today his mechanical innovation is the core of our locks in most of the markets. Yale's best-known lock design is the cylinder pin-tumbler lock.