Everyone has a strong physical and emotional connection to the divisions of private and public space, though few ever have the chance to explore the consequences of crossing those lines. This talk will reveal the whispered conversation societies have been having for millennia, in which we discover what defines private space and what happens to us as individuals and communities when those lines become blurred. We'll talk about security in the ancient world, revolutions both French and industrial, and the role of governments as determined attackers.

Schuyler Towne is obsessed with locks. He got his start as a competitive picker, winning the American Open and competing internationally as well. At an early point in his lock collecting he came across an old "Yale & Towne" padlock. This potential familial connection drove his interest further and he spent the next several years of his life trying to understand everything he could about locks. From how they work and why they fail, to the stories of who invented them and when and where they came into existence.