Lock puzzle
Encyclopedia
A lock puzzle is a type of mechanical puzzle
. It consists of a lock
with unusual or hidden mechanics. Such locks are sometimes called trick locks, because opening them is like performing a magic trick
. A matching key may or may not be used in this trick.
Lock puzzle
s have a long history.
Chinese jewelry boxes often contain trick locks and hidden drawers. An example of such a box is an integral part of the plot of the movie Shanghai Knights
. Clive Barker
's horror novella The Hellbound Heart
(later adapted into a movie Hellraiser
, followed by numerous original sequels) centered around Lemarchand's box
which appears to be such a puzzle box
but in fact opens the gates to Hell
when manipulated.
Other lock puzzles stem from the necessity to invent secure locks in the Middle Ages
.
Lock puzzles are closely related to puzzle box
es.
Mechanical puzzle
A mechanical puzzle is a puzzle presented as a set of mechanically interlinked pieces.- History :The oldest known mechanical puzzle comes from Greece and appeared in the 3rd century BC....
. It consists of a lock
Lock (device)
A lock is a mechanical or electronic fastening device that is released by a physical object or secret information , or combination of more than one of these....
with unusual or hidden mechanics. Such locks are sometimes called trick locks, because opening them is like performing a magic trick
Magic (illusion)
Magic is a performing art that entertains audiences by staging tricks or creating illusions of seemingly impossible or supernatural feats using natural means...
. A matching key may or may not be used in this trick.
Lock puzzle
Puzzle
A puzzle is a problem or enigma that tests the ingenuity of the solver. In a basic puzzle, one is intended to put together pieces in a logical way in order to come up with the desired solution...
s have a long history.
Chinese jewelry boxes often contain trick locks and hidden drawers. An example of such a box is an integral part of the plot of the movie Shanghai Knights
Shanghai Knights
Shanghai Knights is a 2003 action-comedy film. It is the sequel to Shanghai Noon. It was directed by David Dobkin and written by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar.-Plot:...
. Clive Barker
Clive Barker
Clive Barker is an English author, film director and visual artist best known for his work in both fantasy and horror fiction. Barker came to prominence in the mid-1980s with a series of short stories which established him as a leading young horror writer...
's horror novella The Hellbound Heart
The Hellbound Heart
The Hellbound Heart is a horror novella by Clive Barker, first published in November 1986 by Dark Harvest in the third volume of their Night Visions anthology series, and notable for becoming the basis for the 1987 movie Hellraiser and its franchise...
(later adapted into a movie Hellraiser
Hellraiser
Hellraiser is a 1987 British and American horror film based upon the novella The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker, who also wrote the screenplay and directed the film. Hellraiser explores themes of sadomasochism and morality under duress and fear. The film spawned a series of sequels...
, followed by numerous original sequels) centered around Lemarchand's box
Lemarchand's box
Lemarchand's box is a fictional lock puzzle or puzzle box appearing in horror stories by Clive Barker, or in works based on his original stories. The best known of these boxes is the Lament Configuration, which features prominently throughout the Hellraiser movie series. This was designed and made...
which appears to be such a puzzle box
Puzzle box
A puzzle box is a box that can only be opened through some obscure or complicated series of manipulations. Some puzzle boxes may require only a simple squeeze in the right spot, whereas others may require the subtle movement of several small parts, to open the box...
but in fact opens the gates to Hell
Hell
In many religious traditions, a hell is a place of suffering and punishment in the afterlife. Religions with a linear divine history often depict hells as endless. Religions with a cyclic history often depict a hell as an intermediary period between incarnations...
when manipulated.
Other lock puzzles stem from the necessity to invent secure locks in the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
.
Lock puzzles are closely related to puzzle box
Puzzle box
A puzzle box is a box that can only be opened through some obscure or complicated series of manipulations. Some puzzle boxes may require only a simple squeeze in the right spot, whereas others may require the subtle movement of several small parts, to open the box...
es.