When did strap locks first come around?

[HOOLIGAN]

Any old guys remember?
The problem of the bass (or guitar) coming off the strap would have popped up once guys started really rockin' out
(Elvis, Gene Vincent)-
On that note-Who was the 1st (electric) bass player that
really rocked out & would have needed strap locks?

[rtslinger]

I would guess this guy for one

United States Patent 3,688,012
Vettel August 29, 1972
GUITAR SAFETY STRAP

Abstract

A strap for supporting a guitar around a neck and shoulders of a musician, the strap including a metal reinforcing member at the button holes thereof so to prevent accidental disengagement of the guitar strap button from the strap button holes, the reinforcing member including a central opening that aligns with the button hole so to be also engaged by the guitar strap button.
Inventors: Vettel; Richard (Bronx, NY)
Appl. No.: 05/124,820
Filed: March 16, 1971

then this guy invented the ones we used now
United States Patent 7,818,851
Perrotta October 26, 2010
Strap lock

Abstract

A strap lock is provided. The strap lock includes a sleeve, a slider and a spring. The slider fits within the sleeve and moves from a locked position to an unlocked position. The spring biases the slider into a locked position. The sleeve may be attached to a strap end having a keyhole such that the slider covers a portion of the keyhole when in a locked position and uncovers the keyhole when in an unlocked position.
Inventors: Perrotta; Chris (Allen, TX)
Appl. No.: 11/828,170
Filed: July 25, 2007

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Don't know about the former, but the latter:

Originally Posted by rtslinger

then this guy invented the ones we used now
United States Patent 7,818,851
Perrotta October 26, 2010
Strap lock

Abstract

A strap lock is provided. The strap lock includes a sleeve, a slider and a spring. The slider fits within the sleeve and moves from a locked position to an unlocked position. The spring biases the slider into a locked position. The sleeve may be attached to a strap end having a keyhole such that the slider covers a portion of the keyhole when in a locked position and uncovers the keyhole when in an unlocked position.
Inventors: Perrotta; Chris (Allen, TX)
Appl. No.: 11/828,170
Filed: July 25, 2007

Is pure BS.

When I started using the Schaller strap locks in the mid 80's, they were at least a few years, perhaps a decade old. The Dunlops, AFAIK came in the 90's, as did plenty of others like DiMarzio.

Don't quite answer the OP's question though, my guess would be someone from the early punk bands.

Regards
Sam

[JTE]

Dynlops were around by the late '70s, and Schallers showed up shortly after. Before that as a leather double locking device.

John

[JimK]

I recall straplocks in the '70s...expensive, IIRC.

Back then, I also owned a guitar.
I know my Univox Les Paul was constantly coming unplugged from its leather strap.

I recall basses (Fenders, Gibson, Ricks, etc) not really having that issue.