What was the main engineering goal of the original U-lock prototype?
Answer
Creating a hardened shackle to resist common tools
The primary engineering objective behind the initial U-lock prototypes was to construct a hardened shackle that could effectively resist the tools commonly employed by thieves at the time, such as bolt cutters and hacksaws. By focusing on the structural strength and material properties of the steel shackle, the inventors aimed to create a physical barrier that made the act of theft too time-consuming, difficult, and noisy to be practical for the average criminal.

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