History, as we have known, gives us insights into various techniques which have been used for tool making through the centuries. Tools have always been considered an essential part of the development of human society. The early periods before recorded history were, in fact, named after the material which was used for tool making.
Image Credit - beginblacksmithing
So let’s take a look at the evolution of toolmaking throughout time.
Stone Age:
The early Stone Age was marked by the most basic stone tools made by early humans which included stone cores, hammerstones, stone flaxes, and certain large cutting tools.
The Middle Stone Age was marked by a steady increase in the pace of stone technology. The tools included spears, stone awls, and scrapers.
During the later Stone Age, people laid their hands on diverse raw materials and the level of craftsmanship also rose. Different groups formed their own cultural identity and had their own techniques for making tools.
Bronze Age:
Bronze Age was the time when agricultural practices began to develop and hence tool making techniques also evolved. This age is marked by the usage of metals for the first time. They made the alloy Bronze, by adding tint to copper, which was harder and durable.
Bronze was used for making tools and weapons such as axes, armor, knives, etc.
Iron Age:
Iron Age, as the name suggests, was marked by the usage of iron in manufacturing tools. Tools were made by heating up iron and were basically used for agriculture purposes or as weapons. History provides data for first iron production from Anatolia, Turkey which then spread to the west and east with time.
The tools evident from this period included swords, lances and spears, potter’s wheel, chisel, rudder, lathe, rotary quern, plowshare, sickles, and colter.
Ancient Times:
This period is known as the period of recorded history. Various civilizations adopted various techniques for toolmaking and developed subsequently.
This period involved harnessing natural energy to create machinery by the ancient Greeks; the invention of paper, matches, and suspension bridges by the Chinese; the Romans contributed to history by making arches, harbors, reservoirs, and many more complex structures.
Middle-Ages:
Middle Age was the period from the 5th to 15th century. The building tools from this period include Auger, Chisel, Trowel, and Hammer. Farming tools included Sickle, Scythe, Plough, and Pitchfork. Other tools included cloth shears, spindles, etc.
Renaissance:
The 15th and the 16th century marked the renaissance period which saw significant developments through it.
The significant tools and technologies included Brace, cranked reel, Paddlewheel boat, Rotary grindstone with a treadle, Geared hand-mill, Cranked Archimedes’ screw, and grenade musket among many other inventions.
Industrial Revolution:
The industrial revolution was a period from the 18th to 19th century. This age involved a shift from handmade products to machine-made products. Hence new machine tools were made.
The shift to machine-made products reduced the cost of production. It also allowed mass production of various goods which introduced the concept of division of labor. It also saw faster transportation of raw materials and goods.
The last years:
Since the industrial revolution machine-made products were on rising. The ease of doing business became prominent. Innovations kept on happening and various societies became developed. The digital world was also introduced and innovations happened in various fields. Many intellectuals continue to work towards making impactful innovations.
So let’s take a look at the evolution of toolmaking throughout time.
Stone Age:
The early Stone Age was marked by the most basic stone tools made by early humans which included stone cores, hammerstones, stone flaxes, and certain large cutting tools.
The Middle Stone Age was marked by a steady increase in the pace of stone technology. The tools included spears, stone awls, and scrapers.
During the later Stone Age, people laid their hands on diverse raw materials and the level of craftsmanship also rose. Different groups formed their own cultural identity and had their own techniques for making tools.
Bronze Age:
Bronze Age was the time when agricultural practices began to develop and hence tool making techniques also evolved. This age is marked by the usage of metals for the first time. They made the alloy Bronze, by adding tint to copper, which was harder and durable.
Bronze was used for making tools and weapons such as axes, armor, knives, etc.
Iron Age:
Iron Age, as the name suggests, was marked by the usage of iron in manufacturing tools. Tools were made by heating up iron and were basically used for agriculture purposes or as weapons. History provides data for first iron production from Anatolia, Turkey which then spread to the west and east with time.
The tools evident from this period included swords, lances and spears, potter’s wheel, chisel, rudder, lathe, rotary quern, plowshare, sickles, and colter.
Ancient Times:
This period is known as the period of recorded history. Various civilizations adopted various techniques for toolmaking and developed subsequently.
This period involved harnessing natural energy to create machinery by the ancient Greeks; the invention of paper, matches, and suspension bridges by the Chinese; the Romans contributed to history by making arches, harbors, reservoirs, and many more complex structures.
Middle-Ages:
Middle Age was the period from the 5th to 15th century. The building tools from this period include Auger, Chisel, Trowel, and Hammer. Farming tools included Sickle, Scythe, Plough, and Pitchfork. Other tools included cloth shears, spindles, etc.
Renaissance:
The 15th and the 16th century marked the renaissance period which saw significant developments through it.
The significant tools and technologies included Brace, cranked reel, Paddlewheel boat, Rotary grindstone with a treadle, Geared hand-mill, Cranked Archimedes’ screw, and grenade musket among many other inventions.
Industrial Revolution:
The industrial revolution was a period from the 18th to 19th century. This age involved a shift from handmade products to machine-made products. Hence new machine tools were made.
The shift to machine-made products reduced the cost of production. It also allowed mass production of various goods which introduced the concept of division of labor. It also saw faster transportation of raw materials and goods.
The last years:
Since the industrial revolution machine-made products were on rising. The ease of doing business became prominent. Innovations kept on happening and various societies became developed. The digital world was also introduced and innovations happened in various fields. Many intellectuals continue to work towards making impactful innovations.
Image Credit - topsolid
Hence, starting from the most basic tools early humans made to the complex structures that we know as of today, tools continue to make human life simpler and easier.
Hence, starting from the most basic tools early humans made to the complex structures that we know as of today, tools continue to make human life simpler and easier.
Written By - Jasmine K
Edited By - Daniel Deepak Charles
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