Louis Vuitton's 1886 tumbler lock: Georges Vuitton's single lock with two spring buckles against trunk theft, patented after years of work, the house's Houdini challenge, 225 staff at Asnières by 1914
In 1888 the house introduced the Damier canvas to curb imitations.
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The post, as it ran
01IN 1886 LOUIS VUITTON'S SON GEORGES CREATED A NEW TRUNK LOCK: ONE LOCK WITH TWO SPRING BUCKLES.
02THEFTS FROM TRAVEL TRUNKS WERE RIFE, AND MOST LOCKS WERE EASY TO PICK.
03HE PATENTED IT AFTER SEVERAL YEARS OF WORK.
04THE STORY GOES THAT HE CHALLENGED HARRY HOUDINI TO ESCAPE FROM A TRUNK FITTED WITH IT. HOUDINI NEVER TOOK IT UP.
05BY 1914 THE VUITTON WORKSHOP AT ASNIÈRES HAD 225 EMPLOYEES.