The Three Tumblers

Hardware History Files: The Vault That Protected America’s Constitution | Mosler and the Charters of Freedom

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 16:56:45 -0400

When America’s founding documents — the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Bill of Rights — were under threat, one company was trusted to protect them: The Mosler Safe Company.

In the shadow of the Cold War and the nuclear age, Mosler built a vault designed to safeguard the Charters of Freedom against bombs, fire, and time itself. This episode of Hardware History Files uncovers the story of how Mosler became the guardian of America’s most important treasures.

🔑 What you’ll learn in this episode:

How Mosler engineered a bomb-proof vault for the U.S. Constitution
Why the Charters of Freedom required Cold War protection
The legacy of Mosler vaults in American history

If you’re fascinated by safes, vaults, Cold War history, or the protection of America’s Constitution, this story shows how hardware and history collide.

#Mosler #Vault #Constitution #ChartersOfFreedom #HardwareHistoryFiles

Hardware History Files: What Happened to Lockwood?

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 17:06:48 -0400

If you were in the door hardware industry in 1952, you knew the name Lockwood. It stood for prestige, quality, and American industrial might. The Lockwood Hardware Manufacturing Company operated five regional sales offices and six manufacturing plants across the United States. It had furnished buildings all over the world: apartments, hotels, hospitals, colleges, embassies, and federal facilities.

Its products were used in high-security government sites, including post offices, military installations, and even the U.S. Embassy in Havana. And perhaps most impressively, Lockwood hardware was installed in two of the most high-profile projects of the mid-century: the Atomic Energy Plant in Paducah, Kentucky—at the time, the largest contract ever awarded by the U.S. government—and the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.

At the company’s 1952 sales convention, there was a sense of unstoppable momentum. Lockwood had survived the Great Depression, pivoted to war production during WWII, and emerged in the postwar boom stronger than ever. Yet today, more than seventy years later, the Lockwood name is a ghost in the American hardware industry. So, what happened?
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Santa Claus: Master Burglar

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 17:20:09 -0500

Across the world, hundreds of millions of houses are broken into on a regular basis during the month of December, with most occurring just on one particular night. The means of how these family safe havens are violated remain the subject of much speculation. Some people believe it’s an open secret, while others have a more radical take. What’s clear is that no locking mechanism created in over a thousand years can keep the perpetrator out of our homes, even if we know exactly what night he’s coming.

Is this some annual occurrence that society has became blind to over the years? Or is this a multi-national conspiracy to invade our homes? Could it be a coordinated attack based on good intentions?

Stay tuned as we investigate how no door hardware has been able to keep out the most well-known secret of the holidays!
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Haunted or Tumbled?

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 20:00:00 -0400

Welcome to the Three Tumblers lock-shop of horror! Tonight, we will tell you three stories of intrigue, mystery, supernatural activity, and tales from beyond. Two of these stories will be based on actual occurrences. One will not.

You will have to decide which ones are real, and which one isn’t. But don’t worry! We will be here to give you our expert opinions on the details of each story and at the conclusion of this episode, the truth will be revealed.

Or will it?
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Season Three - Coming Soon

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Wed, 22 May 2024 09:00:00 -0400

Season Three is on the way!
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Locked Up: The History of Handcuffs

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Mon, 06 May 2024 09:00:00 -0400

From ancient mythology, to modern public safety tools. Symbols of horrific history, to objects of pleasure. These restraints have been used for centuries!

Today, we will provide the captivating details on one of the worlds oldest wearable locks!
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Security Starts at Home

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 09:00:00 -0400

Break-ins. Burglaries. Home invasions. Squatters.

Long gone are the days of not locking the door when you leave your house for the day. Criminals brazenly enter homes that are not theirs, and violate the one place we should always feel safe in.

The fear of having your home invaded by a stranger has lead to many innovations to make it more secure. But do they work?

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Serial Killer Security Goes D.I.Y.

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 09:00:00 -0400

In the early 60s, Americans were introduced to a new kind of crime threat. With cases beginning in Boston and California, police were investigating murders that had striking similarities. Newspapers and television stations would give nicknames to the killers and run them in the headlines, striking fear into the public about who would be next.

Taking home security more seriously than ever before, people began doing whatever it would take to keep themselves safe at night. This included extra locks on every door. But with demand so high, could people get them installed before it was too late?
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The D. B. Cooper Vane

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 09:00:00 -0400

Wednesday, November 24th, 1971. The man wearing a dark suit, sunglasses, and a parachute stood at the back of the Northwest Orient Airlines plane. Steadying himself, he pulled the lever and lowered the rear airstairs on the Boeing 727. A couple minutes later and he was falling towards the ground.

This hijacking spurred hundreds of theories, and changed the way aircraft were secured for decades after.
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Keys to the Caribbean: Pirates and Locks

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 09:00:00 -0400

Pirates didn’t just steal treasure… they adapted to security.

During the Golden Age of Piracy, ships crossing the Caribbean carried gold, silver, sugar, and rum worth fortunes. To protect these valuables, merchants turned to heavy armada chests, reinforced locks, and early security technology.

But pirates weren’t just brute force raiders—they were experienced sailors who understood exactly how these systems worked.

In this episode of The Three Tumblers, we explore the real history of pirates like Blackbeard and Captain Kidd, and how early locks, keys, and secure chests shaped the battle between theft and protection at sea.

This is the story of how security evolved—not on land, but in the middle of the ocean.

In this episode:

- How pirates targeted high-value cargo ships
- The rise of armada chests and early lock technology
- Why locks alone weren’t enough to stop theft
- How speed, strategy, and experience gave pirates the edge
- The truth about buried treasure myths

From the Caribbean to the American coast, this episode breaks down how piracy forced innovation in locks, safes, and security systems that still influence how we protect valuables today.

The Three Tumblers explores history through the lens of locks, security, and real-world events.
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The Baker Street Heist

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 09:00:00 -0400

Monday, September 13th, 1971. At the corner of Baker and Marylebone Streets in Westminster, London, the branch manager of Lloyd's Bank opened the vault at ten in the morning as usual. As the huge door swung away what he saw left him speechless. Chunks of concrete, wrecked safe deposit boxes, jewelry, and more compromising items were strewn across the floor.

Was it really possible that criminals were able to break into a vault with thousands of tons of protection? Or were other elements at work?
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Deadliest Keys: Nukes at Sea

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 09:00:00 -0400

August, 1945. The United States drops atomic weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan in a last ditch effort to stop the imperialist military dictators from killing more people. Soon, there is an arms race between America and the Soviet Union with both sides trying to prove to the other that their weapons are more powerful.

With mutually assured destruction between nations, rouge actors were of the highest concern to the leaders. Could a simple set of keys stop World War Three?
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Keys to Murder: The Tamika Huston Story

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 09:00:00 -0400

Weeks after family members report a young woman as missing, investigators find a ring of keys in her car. One key has seemingly random numbers and letters stamped on it. Will this code be able to lead detectives to solve the disappearance of a vibrant, young woman?
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Keys to the Stars: The Bling Ring

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 09:00:00 -0400

Los Angeles California, Hollywood Hills. The year was 2008 and celebrities were living it up just as they had been for decades. Between nightlife, award shows, and parties, stars were rarely at home. This made their less than humble abodes appealing to people coveting that glamorous lifestyle.

Obviously, celebs had top rate security preventing any thefts or break-ins. Right?
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Grand Theft Corvette

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 09:00:00 -0500

The Chevrolet Corvette. One of America's defining sports cars experienced a boom in sales in the early 1980s. It also became one of the most popular cars for thieves to steal. Insurance companies charged owners of the car up to 40 percent more just because of the theft rates.

Could a team of mechanics, engineers, and locksmiths put a stop to the likes of organized cars rings? Or would the bad guys stay one step ahead?
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2024 Mid-Season Promo

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 19:40:09 -0500

For the past five months, The Three Tumblers have told you the tragic history that shaped how we interact doors today. Now, they bring you stories from ancient history to modern heists and those that could lead to potentially disastrous outcomes.

Join Jeff Moss, Tyler J. Thomas, and Tim Coleman as they bring you these stories and more with the unique perspective of over thirty years of locksmithing and door hardware experience.

New episodes beginning March 4th, 2024.
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The Station Nightclub Fire, Part 3: Years After

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 09:00:00 -0500

Only three men involved in the Station nightclub fire are held legally responsible. But were there more to blame? Good comes out of darkness. Families and survivors band together to make sure the tragedy is never forgotten.
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The Station Nightclub Fire, Part 2: Seconds of Fire

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 09:00:00 -0500

In a matter of minutes, those still trapped inside the Station nightclub are on the verge of death. Can they still escape, or will they die trying?
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The Station Nightclub Fire, Part 1: Years Before

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 09:00:00 -0500

A small nightclub built in the late 1940s transforms over the years into a popular, local venue for live music and good evenings with friends until one fateful night it burns to the ground and claims one-hundred lives.
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The Cocoanut Grove Fire, Part 3: Phoenix of Paradise

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 09:00:00 -0500

With over four hundred people dead and dying at the Cocoanut Grove club, someone had to be to blamed. While investigators look for a cause, others work to make sure that the tropical paradise in Boston didn’t burn in vane.
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The Cocoanut Grove Fire, Part 2: Inferno in Paradise

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 09:00:00 -0500

Tony is a kid who works at The Grove. Stanley works there too. Jimmy and Clifford are both in the armed forces and in the paradise at 17 Piedmont Street before heading out to war. All four would be forever effected by the inferno that awaited them that night.
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The Cocoanut Grove Fire, Part 1: Wartime Paradise

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 09:00:00 -0500

November, 1942. America is at war. Mobsters still have control and influence on city inspectors, allowing them to skate past regulations and requirements. Guys getting ready to ship out to the battlefield want to take their gals on one last date. The Cocoanut Grove promises to be the place for a night they’ll never forget. It lives up to its hype as a south seas paradise, but for all the wrong reasons.
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The Von Duprin Game Changer, Part 2: Flight to Safety

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 09:00:00 -0500

Every minute of every day in America there are emergencies. Multiple times a day people have to get to safety in a hurry and locked doors could mean a death sentence to them. Every state in the country, and most every city and county have laws requiring emergency exit devices on doors meant for people to get out and away from harm.

In 1911, however, there were few laws, if any, requiring this type of hardware. One hundred-forty-six people died in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, most because they couldn’t get out. Just months prior to that disaster, the owners had been strongly advised to install exit devices on the doors to the production floors, but they never did.

That disaster, and the Von Duprin exit device paved the way to what is now so common in North America, most people don’t even know what its called.
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2023 Holiday Special

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Mon, 25 Dec 2023 15:32:09 -0500

Fires, exits, origins, and bloopers. Lots of bloopers.

In this special holiday episode, Jeff, Tyler, and Tim discuss what brought them this far, what lessons they've learned, and what is motivating them to continue with the show. Also, they prove that while the recordings sound great, it takes a lot to get there!

Enjoy this special episode while you wait for part two of The Von Duprin Game Changer! Coming January Eighth!

Happy Holidays from all of us here at The Three Tumblers!

The Von Duprin Game Changer, Part 1: The Power of Three

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 09:00:00 -0500

On December 30th 1903, thirty-three year old Carl Prinzler was in Chicago for business. With his business concluded, Carl found himself delayed in getting home. Deciding to pass the time, he planned on getting a ticket to see Klaw and Erlanger's “Mister Bluebeard” production at the new Iroquois Theatre. But at the last minute, a train ticket came available and he rushed to get home to Indianapolis...

In the streets of Indianapolis, a German immigrant by the name of Clemens Vonnegut Senior took a brisk walk through the streets. Carrying heavy rocks in his hands, and his trademark cape billowing along behind him, Clemens did this regularly in all weather and times of day. Although strange, he had the reputation of being a fair and honest man. With his exceptionally strong work ethic, he founded and ran the Vonnegut Hardware Company...

Although a member of the famous Dupont family, Henry H. was quiet about it. He spent his days designing buildings and other, everyday items on paper. One of those everyday items was a design collaboration with his neighbor, mister Carl Prinzler...

Shortly after the events of the Iroquois Theatre fire, these three men would come together and create something that still saves lives this very day...
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Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, Part 3: Out Of Fashion, Into Compliance

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 09:00:00 -0500

As firefighters, police officers, and citizens who volunteered their efforts recovered bodies and lowered them to the ground below from the eighth, ninth, and tenth floors of the Asch building, people below were placing those bodies in to caskets and loading them on to wagons for transport.

The effects of the shirtwaist factory fire were heavy on all involved. Even the most hardened responders were overcome by emotion and grief. Crews were rotated out to give them time to temporarily recover.

Almost immediately after the fire, there were calls from the public for changes to life safety issues in manufacturing plants. Many of these changes were adopted and protect us even today.
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Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, Part 2: Escape or Die

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 09:00:00 -0500

William Shepherd walked down the cobblestone streets in Greenwich village on the afternoon of Saturday, March 25th, 1911. It was a trendy place that any young reporter for the united press should be on a weekend. With an inclusive crowd, political activism, and a future home to Jackson Pollock it was, and still is, much like the Buckhead area of Atlanta, Lakewood in Cleveland, or the south end of Charlotte today. Counterculture, a diverse population, and an amazing night life lived in these stre…

*THUD*

William paused and shrugged when he heard the strange sound.

*THUD*

On Washington square in late Spring afternoon, it was such a strange sound to hear this loud thud with a sort of splat at the end.

*THUD*

Curious, William stopped after the third time he heard the sound. Looking up from the corner of Washington Square and Washington Place, he noticed a puff of smoke coming from the factory known as the Asch building.

*THUD*

“The first ten thuds shocked me. I looked up and saw that there were scores of girls at the windows. The flames from the floor below were beating in their faces.”

*THUD*

As William stood in shock, nearly fifty three women and girls jumped the 120 to 135 feet out of windows to escape the flames within the Asch building. Over a thousand people flocked from the nearby park and streets to try and help those escaping the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory while it was on fire. Out of nearly five hundred people in those three floors, one hundred forty-six would not live to see the next day. Over sixty of those souls chose to try jumping to escape, rather than die in flames.

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Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, Part 1: The Cost of Fashion

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 09:00:00 -0500

Today it’s difficult for us to imagine how a simple women’s garment, the Industrial Revolution, and labor practices could all be related. Right now, women wear t-shirts, polos, uniforms of all kinds, and dressy clothes on special occasions. But in 1911 the culture of New York City and the nation, was much different. Labor laws, women’s rights, and building codes all changed after a tragic disaster brought all of these different issues together.

Now, 112 years later, Jeff Moss, Tyler J. Thomas, and Tim Coleman will share with you the factors that led up to this disaster, and how building codes and the hardware that makes life safer changed as a result.

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Lake View School, Collinwood Ohio, Part 4: A Village in Mourning

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 09:00:00 -0500

The fire was over… but the story wasn’t.

In the aftermath of the Lake View School fire of 1908, a grieving community searched for answers. How could so many children die just feet from safety?

In Part 4 of this series, we uncover the investigation, the overlooked design flaws, and the critical lessons that reshaped fire safety forever. From deadly bottlenecks just five feet from the exit… to construction decisions that turned the building into a chimney… the truth became impossible to ignore. But out of tragedy came change.

In this episode:

- The investigation into what caused the fire
- Why no official cause was ever determined
- The fatal design flaws that led to mass loss of life
- How building codes and fire safety laws changed nationwide
- The lasting impact on schools, construction, and life safety

175 children and teachers lost their lives—but their story led to reforms that still protect millions today. This is the legacy of the Lake View School fire.

A very special thank you to Hunter Garner, Trace Swann, and Shane Moody for their help with this episode!
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Lake View School, Collinwood Ohio, Part 3: A Village on Fire

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 09:00:00 -0500

The fire was only the beginning.

On March 4, 1908, the Lakeview School fire in Collinwood, Ohio claimed the lives of 175 children and teachers. But outside the building, the tragedy continued as parents, neighbors, and rescuers rushed into a scene of chaos, desperation, and heartbreak.

In Part 3 of this series, we tell the stories of the people who tried to save the children—and the devastating reality they faced.

This is the human cost of one of the deadliest school fires in American history.

In this episode:

- The desperate rescue attempts at the school’s entrances
- How a deadly bottleneck trapped children just feet from safety
- The failure of early fire response systems and delayed aid
- The role of building design and locked exits in the death toll
- The emotional aftermath for families and the community

Within minutes, a village was forever changed.

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Lake View School, Collinwood Ohio, Part 2: School on Fire

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 09:00:00 -0400

It only took minutes.

On March 4, 1908, a small fire inside the Lakeview School in Collinwood, Ohio turned into one of the deadliest school disasters in American history.

More than 350 children were inside the building. Many never made it out.

In Part 2 of this series, we break down exactly what happened inside the school—from the first signs of smoke to the rapid spread of fire, blocked exits, and the desperate attempts to escape.

This is the moment everything went wrong.

In this episode:

- How the fire started in the basement
- Why the alarm system failed to alert the fire department
- The deadly impact of overcrowding and narrow exit
- How panic and design flaws trapped students inside
- The heroic actions of teachers and students trying to save lives

Within five minutes, the building became a deadly trap.

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Lake View School, Collinwood Ohio, Part 1: Growing Village

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 09:00:00 -0400

In 1908, the village of Collinwood, Ohio was growing fast—faster than its infrastructure could keep up.

What was once farmland quickly became a crowded industrial hub filled with immigrant families, packed housing, and overwhelmed schools. At the center of it all stood the Lakeview School.

On the morning of March 4th, over 350 children walked through its doors. 175 would never make it home. In Part 1 of this series, we explore how rapid growth, overcrowding, and critical design decisions set the stage for one of the deadliest school fires in American history.

This is not just the story of a tragedy—it’s the story of how it became inevitable.

In this episode:
-The explosive growth of Collinwood, Ohio
- Overcrowded schools and rushed expansion
- The design of the Lakeview School building
- Critical safety flaws hidden in plain sight
- How early decisions created deadly conditions

Before the fire ever started… the danger was already there.
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Listen to The Three Tumblers anywhere you get your podcasts and, please, follow and give us a review!

The Three Tumblers Podcast: https://threetumblers.com

Follow Us On Twitter: https://twitter.com/3tumblerspod
Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethreetumblerspod/

The Iroquois Theatre Fire, Part 3: The Aftermath

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 08:00:00 -0400

Nearly 600 people died in the Iroquois Theatre Fire of 1903. But what happened after the fire is what changed everything.

In Part 3 of this series, we break down how one of the deadliest building fires in U.S. history reshaped fire safety laws, building codes, and door hardware forever.

From blocked exits and complex locks to overcrowding and panic, this disaster exposed critical failures in how buildings were designed—and forced sweeping changes that still protect lives today.

This is the story of how tragedy led to modern life safety standards. If you’ve ever walked through an exit door, seen a panic bar, or relied on building safety systems—you’re seeing the legacy of this event.

In this episode:

- Why so many people couldn’t escape
- How doors and locks contributed to the death toll
- The origin of modern fire codes and inspections
- Why exit doors can’t be locked today
- How disasters like this shaped building safety forever

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Listen to The Three Tumblers anywhere you get your podcasts and, please, follow and give us a review!

The Three Tumblers Podcast: https://threetumblers.com

Follow Us On Twitter: https://twitter.com/3tumblerspod
Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethreetumblerspod/

The Iroquois Theatre Fire, Part 2: The Fire

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 09:00:00 -0400

At 3:15 PM, a small spark from a stage light ignited a curtain.

Within minutes, it became one of the deadliest fires in U.S. history.

In Part 2 of the Iroquois Theatre Fire, we break down how a preventable fire spread out of control — from faulty safety systems to crowd panic and deadly design failures.

Nearly 600 people were trapped inside.

This is the moment everything went wrong.

In this episode:

- How the fire started
- Why the fire curtain failed
- How panic spread through the crowd
- The deadly flaws in exits and doors
- The flashover that sealed the building’s fate
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Listen to The Three Tumblers anywhere you get your podcasts and, please, follow and give us a review!

The Three Tumblers Podcast: https://threetumblers.com

Follow Us On Twitter: https://twitter.com/3tumblerspod
Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethreetumblerspod/

The Iroquois Theatre Fire, Part 1: The Theatre

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 09:00:00 -0400

It was called “fireproof.”

In 1903, nearly 2,000 people packed into the Iroquois Theatre in Chicago for a matinee performance. Most were women and children. Within minutes, a small stage fire turned into the deadliest single-building fire in U.S. history. Nearly 600 people never made it out.

In this episode of The Three Tumblers, we break down the design decisions, overcrowding, and overlooked safety failures that turned a “safe” theater into a deadly trap. This is Part 1 of our series on the Iroquois Theatre Fire — and how it changed building codes, fire safety, and door hardware forever.

In this episode:

-Why the theater was called “fireproof”
-How overcrowding made escape nearly impossible
-The fatal design flaws in exits and layout
-What safety systems failed before the fire even started

This is not just history — it’s why buildings are designed the way they are today.
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Listen to The Three Tumblers anywhere you get your podcasts and, please, follow and give us a review!

The Three Tumblers Podcast: https://podbay.fm/p/the-three-tumblers

Follow Us On Twitter: https://twitter.com/3tumblerspod
Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethreetumblerspod/

Season 2 Teaser

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Sat, 23 Sep 2023 18:44:49 -0400

Join us for the start of season 2 on October 2nd.

S1 E30 - Lockpicking

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 19:36:41 -0400

Hello everyone, I'm Jeff Moss and along with Tim Coleman and Tyler J. Thomas, we are going to discuss lockpicking.

Listen to The Three Tumblers anywhere you get your podcasts and, please, follow and give us a review!

The Three Tumblers Podcast: https://podbay.fm/p/the-three-tumblers

Follow Us On Twitter: https://twitter.com/3tumblerspod
Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethreetumblerspod/

S1 E29 - Pin Kits

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Mon, 07 Aug 2023 12:00:00 -0400

Hello everyone I'm Tim Coleman and along with Tyler J. Thomas and Jeff Moss, we'll be the best pin ups in the trade and in podcast. It's three o'clock somewhere and this is The Three Tumblers.

S1E28 - Standalone Keypad Locks

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 12:00:00 -0400

Let's talk about standalone keypad locks!

Listen to The Three Tumblers anywhere you get your podcasts and, please, follow and give us a review!

The Three Tumblers Podcast: https://podbay.fm/p/the-three-tumblers

Follow Us On Twitter: https://twitter.com/3tumblerspod
Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethreetumblerspod/

S1E27 - Road Life

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Sun, 23 Jul 2023 12:00:00 -0400

Well, last time we talked about life in the shop. Seems fitting enough that this time we talk about life on the road.

Questions, comments, concerns? Email us thethreetumblerspod@gmail.com or find us on Twitter @3tumblerspod.

S1 E26 - Shop Life

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 18:00:00 -0400

For some of us, getting on the road is a rare adventure. For others, being in the shop is just as rare. What do you actually do in the shop? Just count pins and key blanks from the 80s? Whether or not you have a store front, we'll give you the insight on being inside all day.

Questions, comments, concerns? Email us thethreetumblerspod@gmail.com or find us on Twitter @3tumblerspod.

S1 E25 - Starting A Locksmith Business

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 18:00:00 -0400

I'm Tyler J. Thomas along with Jeff Moss, Tim Coleman, and Chris Huffstetler and we will discuss the "ins and outs" of starting a locksmith business.

Questions, comments, concerns? Email us thethreetumblerspod@gmail.com or find us on Twitter @3tumblerspod.

S1 E24 - Callbacks

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 12:00:00 -0400

You've done the job, gotten your money, and left the site a few days ago. But then that customer calls back and says what you did doesn't work anymore.

Is it common for you? Or is it common for your coworkers? When do you swallow your pride and just give in to make things work? And are two sets of eyes on a problem better than one?

Yes, that's right! Today we're talking about callbacks!

S1 E23 - Dispatching

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 15:00:00 -0400

Every job starts somewhere, most of the time it starts with a simple phone call. How do you determine what the person needs and how can you use the call taking process to increase your bottom dollar? From safety, to service, to possibly some badly made references to William Shatner, we'll have the direct line to dispatching.

Questions, comments, concerns? Email us thethreetumblerspod@gmail.com or find us on Twitter @3tumblerspod.

S1 E22 - NSPs

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 19:25:18 -0400

National retail chains don't have a lot of time to do local research when it comes to locksmithing or any other maintenance needs. That's why they have national service providers find the resources closet to their store locations. Eventually, these NSPs call our phones asking us if we are available to do the work needed.

But what's like to work for an NSP directly, what profit can you make from it, and what is it like being an actual NSP?

We'll try to make sense of it all and not run over your NTE!

Questions, comments, concerns? Email us thethreetumblerspod@gmail.com or find us on Twitter @3tumblerspod.

S1 E21 - Locksmith Terminology

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Mon, 22 May 2023 15:00:00 -0400

Where do we get the terminology we use as locksmiths when communicating with others in the industry? How do we speak customer, and then translate it to actual terms? And what could happen when we don't use the proper words to describe things to others in the trade?

Questions, comments, concerns? Email us thethreetumblerspod@gmail.com or find us on Twitter @3tumblerspod.

S1 E20 - Safes (feat. Jeff Gaylor)

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Sun, 14 May 2023 15:00:00 -0400

Are you wanting to become a box tech? Maybe you already are and have a great overview of locking containers, including safes. Perhaps all you do is move them. Maybe, you don't have anything to do with them at all!

Questions, comments, concerns? Email us thethreetumblerspod@gmail.com or find us on Twitter @3tumblerspod.

S1 E19 - Customer Etiquette

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Wed, 03 May 2023 15:00:00 -0400

There are certain courtesies that locksmiths should have with their customers, like cleaning up after themselves. But there are also a number of courtesies that customers should have with their locksmiths, like answering the phones.

Questions, comments, concerns? Email us thethreetumblerspod@gmail.com or find us on Twitter @3tumblerspod.

S1E18 - Making Keys

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 15:00:00 -0400

Hey! Do y'all make keys? While we honestly just want to blurt out, "No, you dumbass!", making keys is pretty much essential to our jobs, whether it's following the paths of ancient 'smiths, making mathematical calculations, or syncing technology with brass.

Questions, comments, concerns? Email us thethreetumblerspod@gmail.com or find us on Twitter @3tumblerspod.

S1 E17 - Lubricants

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 15:00:00 -0400

Are you tired of running into the same old dry and crusty? Maybe one lube is just as good as another. And why should you charge for lube if you're just using it to help you anyway?

Questions, comments, concerns? Email us thethreetumblerspod@gmail.com or find us on Twitter @3tumblerspod.

S1 E16 - Supply Chains (feat. PJ Slauson of CLK Supplies)

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 15:00:00 -0400

Where do the people we get our parts from, get our parts from? Is there anywhere we can go when our regular places don't have the stuff we need? What's the "inside baseball" going on between our distributors and the folks who make the actual product? Join us as we ask these questions, and more, to PJ Slauson of @clksupplies

Questions, comments, concerns? Email us thethreetumblerspod@gmail.com or find us on Twitter @3tumblerspod.

S1E15 - Access Control

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 21:50:15 -0400

Access control is all around us, every day, all day. How do you learn about different products and choose to use them? What licensing do you have to have and what can you get away with? Residential and stand-alone keypads aren't access control, are they? And what technical skills do you need to have to pull off any access control job?

Questions, comments, concerns? Email us thethreetumblerspod@gmail.com or find us on Twitter @3tumblerspod.

S1E14 - Sourcing Parts

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Sun, 19 Mar 2023 15:00:00 -0400

Okay, so you've sized up the job, given your customer a price and, son of a bitch, they approved it! Well, now you have to follow through and get the stuff that will your idea work and put money in your wallet.

Questions, comments, concerns? Email us thethreetumblerspod@gmail.com or find us on Twitter @3tumblerspod.

S1E13 - Quoting

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Sun, 12 Mar 2023 15:00:00 -0400

Let's make a deal! You pay me one-thousand dollars and I will make your doors unlock at the touch of a button! If you quote like this, you're gonna lose money and reputation. Should you make some money just for showing up? How does your "size up" of the property affect the final quote? And do you just quote really high if it is sight unseen?

Questions, comments, concerns? Email us thethreetumblerspod@gmail.com or find us on Twitter @3tumblerspod.

S1E12 - Surveys

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Sun, 05 Mar 2023 15:00:00 -0500

One of the biggest favors you can do yourself as a locksmith is to look at a job before you even name a price. Knowing what you're getting into beforehand keeps you from selling yourself short. Unless of course you're already short like Tim!

Questions, comments, concerns? Email us thethreetumblerspod@gmail.com or find us on Twitter @3tumblerspod.

S1E11 - Locksmith Tools

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Sun, 26 Feb 2023 15:00:00 -0500

Does everybody know what time it is?!? That's right, it's (locksmith) tool time!

Questions, comments, concerns? Email us thethreetumblerspod@gmail.com or find us on Twitter @3tumblerspod.

S1E10 - IT and Locksmiths

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Sun, 19 Feb 2023 15:00:00 -0500

How do locksmiths figure into the information technology world? Do we just put a storeroom lever on a server room door? Is considering physical security of digital information something you even think about? Do locksmiths really need custom software, or software at all? Some may think that this is the wave of the future!

Questions, comments, concerns? Email us thethreetumblerspod@gmail.com or find us on Twitter @3tumblerspod.

S1E9 - THINGS WE DON’T WANT TO TOUCH

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Sun, 12 Feb 2023 15:00:00 -0500

We've all learned throughout life that that are things you don't want to touch. Hot stoves, mean animals, and turds, just to name a few. In our trade, those things still apply along with a lot more. On this episode of the podcast by locksmiths for locksmiths, we'll get downa nd dirty on the downright dirty.

Questions, comments, concerns? Email us thethreetumblerspod@gmail.com or find us on Twitter @3tumblerspod.

S1E8 - Locksmith Pricing

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 18:00:00 -0500

Is you policy on pricing to 'just charge more'? Or are you subject to someone else's price schedule? Who do you turn to when you don't know what to charge? Today on the podcast by locksmiths, for locksmiths, we're going to blow apart one of the most controversial and secretive aspects of the trade: pricing!

Questions, comments, concerns? Email us thethreetumblerspod@gmail.com or find us on Twitter @3tumblerspod.

S1E7 - Installation & Hardware

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Sun, 29 Jan 2023 16:06:28 -0500

How do you approach a job that requires installation of new hardware? Do you measure, diagram, and write a plan? Or do you just wing it?

What resources do you have if you've never done something before? Even if you have prepared yourself on paper, how do you cope when the job goes all "Monday" on you? And when a customer walks in your shop and wants to "buy a handle", do you just them a "handle"?

Questions, comments, concerns? Email us thethreetumblerspod@gmail.com or find us on Twitter @3tumblerspod.

S1E6 - Locksmith Ethics

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Mon, 23 Jan 2023 19:29:37 -0500

When a customer walks into your shop with a "Do Not Duplicate" key, do you automatically copy it? What about when they bring in a safe? When you're on a job do you always follow the manufacturer's rules OR do you just make it work? And are your quotes and pricing always accurate, or do you just make it up as you go?

Questions, comments, concerns? Email us thethreetumblerspod@gmail.com or find us on Twitter @3tumblerspod.

S1E5 - Lockouts

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Mon, 16 Jan 2023 19:52:01 -0500

Questions, comments, concerns? Email us thethreetumblerspod@gmail.com or find us on Twitter @3tumblerspod.

S1E4 - Customer Relations

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Sun, 01 Jan 2023 20:15:53 -0500

Do your customers want you to do things you know should not be done? Do some locksmiths really know how to act with customers? How do you handle the 4:15 on a Friday customers?

Questions, comments, concerns? Email us thethreetumblerspod@gmail.com or find us on Twitter @3tumblerspod.

S1E3 - High Security Locks

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Mon, 26 Dec 2022 12:04:51 -0500

Today's theme is high security locks. We will discuss locksmith experiences with high security cylinders, consider all details of high security installations, and foreign high security cylinders in the United States.

Questions, comments, concerns? Email us thethreetumblerspod@gmail.com or find us on Twitter @3tumblerspod.

S1E2 - Locksport

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Tue, 20 Dec 2022 19:21:38 -0500

On this episode, we will discuss locksport and it's effects on the lock industry, how locksport inspires locksmith recruit, and how locksporters turned locksmiths feel about it all.

Questions, comments, concerns? Email us thethreetumblerspod@gmail.com or find us on Twitter @3tumblerspod.

S1E1 - Learning

Tim Coleman, Tyler J. Thomas, Jeff Moss — Sun, 11 Dec 2022 19:27:11 -0500

Questions, comments, concerns? Email us thethreetumblerspod@gmail.com or find us on Twitter @3tumblerspod.