Pliers

History

• Pliers are an ancient invention used for handling hot materials in metalworking processes.
• Development from wooden to bronze pliers likely occurred before 3000 BCE.
• The oldest illustrations of pliers depict the Greek god Hephaestus in his forge.
• The number of different plier designs increased with the invention of objects like horseshoes, fasteners, wire, pipes, and electrical components.

Design

• The basic design of pliers consists of handles, a pivot (often a rivet), and a head section with gripping jaws or cutting edges.
• Pliers are made of steel alloys with additives like vanadium or chromium for strength and corrosion resistance.
• Grips made of other materials are added to the handles for better handling and insulation against electric shock.
• Pliers have jaws of varying sizes and shapes, with textured surfaces to minimize slipping.
• Diagonal pliers are specifically designed for cutting wires.

Ergonomics

• Research has been conducted to improve plier design for easier use in difficult circumstances.
• Handles can be bent to align the load applied by the hand with the arm, reducing muscle fatigue.
• Ergonomic design is especially important for factory workers who use pliers continuously.
• Proper ergonomics can help prevent conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome.

Related Concepts

• Nipper

References and External Links

• Hand Tools: Tongs, pincers, and pliers. Encyclopædia Britannica.
• What are parallel pliers and how do they work?. Maun Industries.
• The History of Hardware Tools. Inventors.About.com.
• A Concise Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities. London: Spottiswoode & Co.
• Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pliers.
• Look up pliers in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Pliers Data Sources