Tool

Definition and History of Tools

• Tool use is the external employment of an object to modify another object or organism.
• Benjamin Beck proposed a widely used definition of tool use in 1981.
• Other briefer definitions have been proposed by Finn, Tregenza, and Norman in 2009, and Jones and Kamil in 1973.
• Tools can be objects carried or maintained for future use.
• Tools are inanimate objects that are used or modified to cause a change in the environment.
• The use of tools was an important step in the evolution of mankind.
• Tools were likely made of perishable materials in the early stages.
• Stone artifacts date back to about 2.5 million years ago.
• The earliest known use of stone tools among hominins is about 3.4 million years ago.
• Tools such as hand axes and flake stone tools were important for various activities.

Timeline of Ancient Tool Development

• Olduvai stone technology (Oldowan) developed 2.5 million years ago.
• Acheulean stone technology, including hand axes, developed 1.6 million years ago.
• Fire creation and manipulation were used since the Paleolithic, possibly by Homo erectus.
• Boats were developed 900,000 years ago.
• Cooking tools were used 500,000 years ago.
• Javelins were invented 400,000 years ago.
• Glue was used 200,000 years ago.
• Clothing was possibly invented 170,000 years ago.
• Stone tools were used by Homo floresiensis around 100,000 years ago.
• Harpoons were invented 90,000 years ago.
• Bow and arrows were invented 70,000–60,000 years ago.
• Sewing needles were used around 60,000 - 50,000 BC.
• Flutes were invented 43,000 years ago.
• Fishing nets and ropes were used 43,000 years ago.
• Ceramics were developed around 25,000 BC.

Machine Tools

• Machine tools played a significant role in the Industrial Revolution, allowing for the production of new tools.
• Pre-industrial machinery was built by different craftsmen, such as millwrights, carpenters, and smiths.
• The use of metal parts and frames became more common as the Industrial Revolution progressed.
• Machine tools were developed to meet the demand for precision and the need for interchangeable parts.
• With their precision, machine tools enabled the economical production of interchangeable parts.
• Types of machine tools include cutting and edge tools, moving tools, tools that enact chemical changes, guiding, measuring, and perception tools, and shaping tools.

Tool Substitution and Multi-use Tools

• Tools can substitute for other tools either as a makeshift solution or for practical efficiency.
• Substitution by-design refers to tools specifically designed to accomplish multiple tasks.
• Substitution as makeshift occurs when a tool is used for an unintended purpose.
• Many tools have secondary functions that are not widely known.
• Tools can be used to substitute missing mechanical parts or serve as multi-purpose devices.
• Tool substitution can be divided into substitution by-design and substitution as makeshift.
• Some tools, like rotary tools, are designed to be multi-purpose.
• Cheap tools can be used to substitute missing mechanical parts in older devices.
• Multi-tools incorporate several tools into a single portable device.
• Some tools have a primary purpose but also incorporate additional functionality.
• Multi-use tools were revolutionary for craftsmen who needed to travel and minimize the number of tools they carried.
• Multi-use tools solve the problem of having to deal with many different tools.
• The Swiss Army knife is one of the earliest examples of a multi-tool.

Tool Use in Animals and Non-material Usage of Tools

• Tool use by animals is a phenomenon where animals use tools to achieve goals.
• Animals use tools to acquire food and water, among other purposes.
• Tool use by animals demonstrates their cognitive abilities and problem-solving skills.
• Tool use by animals has been observed in various species across different habitats.
• Primates, including monkeys and apes, are known for using tools for various purposes.
• Elephants, dolphins, sea otters, and some birds also engage in tool use.
• Fish and cephalopods, such as octopuses, also use tools.
• Tool use in fish and cephalopods demonstrates a level of cognitive ability beyond what was previously believed.
• Non-material usage of tools includes concepts and processes that support systematic or investigative thought.
• Examples include tools of reflection, decision-making processes, and toolkits used in various fields.
• Antique tools, human factors and ergonomics, tool and die makers, tool libraries, and references and scholarly works are related topics.

Tool Data Sources