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Few collectors know the name Samuel Segal but use his inventions every day. Segal was born in Russia and emigrated to the United States when he was 8 years old. Although he attended school and had exceptional mechanical ability he did not learn to read and write until he was 17. Segal decided to become a New York City policeman but was not well suited for the occupation. It was on night patrol of checking locked store doors that he noticed one of the doors had 6 locks on the open side with only two hinges on its pivoting side. It was then he decided to build a lock with a hinge. Segal resigned from the police force to work full time on his idea. In 1912, he designed his first deadbolt or “jimmy-proof” lock and, with $1000 backing, started the Burglar Proof Installation Company which eventually became Segal Lock & Hardware Company. The 1921 Segal deadbolt design became an instant success as it was the best lock to stop unauthorized physical entry. Once Segal had his own finances he was now able to design and invent other mechanical devices.

Segal owned and worked for many companies and designed until 1964. He has over 170 utility patents in his name. I’ve listed below some of his most important inventions-and shown some of his most important inventions in date order - many of which are in use today.

- numerous deadbolt locks-padlocks-chain locks-telephone lock. his basic deadbolt lock mechanism is currently used in millions of apartments.

-key duplicating machine-yes-the one with the grinding noise and shooting sparks-it was always fun to watch a key being made. He designed several versions of this fascinating machine

-safety razors-tweezers-pens-mechanical ashtrays-fabric cutting machines-roller skates-toilet paper holders-lipstick holders-key holders-2+3 ring notebooks-hole punchers for notepaper-staple remover and apparel clasp which I wore on my winter clothes to hold my gloves as a child.

During the late 1920s, Segal designed a handful of lift arm mechanical petrol lighters. His first lighter was a double wheel lift arm in 1926 then an automatic table lift arm in 1928. The snuffer arm raises automatically when the lighter is picked-up and then ignites manually when you turn the flint wheel. He also patented an unusual side-sliding flint system for a single bar pocket lift arm and a pocket lift arm watch lighter that is extremely rare. Segal lighters were mostly offered with gold and nickel-silver plating. It is thought that Segal lighter production ended in the early 1930’s. The 1928 automatic lift arm table model is an unusual fun mechanism to activate. All vintage lift arm and American 1920s lighter collections should have both a Segal pocket and table model. A complete set of Samuel Segal patents - along with descriptions can be found online here.