COMBINATION PADLOCK BYPASS TOOL The earliest known combination lock was excavated in a Roman period tomb on the Kerameikos, Athens. Attached to a small box, it featured several dials instead of keyholes. In 1878 a German man by the name of Joseph Loch was said to have invented the modern combination lock for Tiffany's Jewellers in New York City, and from the 1870s to the early 1900s made many more improvements in the designs and functions of such locks. This probably the smallest bypass tool for Covert Method of Entry (CME) in the world. Designed for carry and concealment with our APEK (Advanced Personal Escape Necklace) and Plan B this tool can be used to quickly open common Combination Padlocks such as the Master Lock 178D without the need for the set combination. Simply insert the tip of the tool into the left side of wheel #2 at a slight angle and then push down. Some padlocks require the shackle to be depressed and released and others can be pulled open once as you push down on the tool. The tool material is marine grade 316 stainless steel so it will not rust. The new version (11APR2020) now features a corrugated handle to assist with extracting the tool. Tips: - Ensure the numbers on the padlock are orientated the right way up before you insert the tool. - On the Master Lock 178D the 4 wheels will be aligned on the right-hand side of the padlock. - The tool can be inserted with the straight edge up or straight edge down (try both ways to see what works best for your lock). - Straight edge down works best for the Master Lock 178D.