Kryptonite
Established 1971Founded in 1971 by Michael Zane, Kryptonite is the manufacturer of bicycle locks, especially known for inventing the iconic U-lock. The basic U-shape design has been copied by numerous other manufacturers.
In 1972, Michael Zane and Second Avenue Bicycle Shop locked a bicycle to a signpost in Greenwich Village in New York City for thirty days. All of the removable parts were immediately stripped by thieves. The bicycle frame and lock remained, even though the lock had been attacked numerous times. After this event Kryptonite’s sales took off, forever changing the face of bicycle security. In 2001 Kryptonite was acquired by Ingersoll Rand/ Allegion.
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