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{{Two other uses||the American rock band|Tool (band)|other uses}} |
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[[Image:ALM 05 Dolch edit2.jpg|thumb|550x|right|[[Knives]] were some of the first tools developed by humans.]] |
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A broad definition of a '''tool''' is an entity used to interface between two or more domains that facilitates more effective action of one domain upon the other. The most basic tools are [[simple machine]]s. For example, a [[crowbar (tool)|crowbar]] simply functions as a [[lever]]. The further out from the pivot point, the more force is transmitted along the lever. A hammer typically interfaces between the operator's hand and the nail the operator wishes to strike.<!-- Other possible definition: A device or implement used to carry out specific actions for a definite purpose. Without the tool, the actions might be more difficult, ineffective, costly, or perhaps impossible. --> |
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Tools are the most important items that the ancient humans used to climb to the top of the [[food chain]]; by inventing tools, they were able to accomplish tasks that their bodies could not, such as using a [[spear]] or [[archery|bow and arrow]] to kill prey, since their teeth were not sharp enough to pierce many animals' skins. |
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A telephone is a communication tool that interfaces between two people engaged in conversation at one level. And between each user and the communication network at another. It is in the domain of media and communications technology that a counterintuitive aspect of our relationships with our tools first began to gain popular recognition. Marshall McLuhan famously said "We shape our tools. And then our tools shape us." McLuhan was referring to the fact that our social practices co-evolve with our use of new tools and the refinements we make to existing tools. |
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Tools that have evolved for use in particular domains can be given different assignations. For example, tools designed for domestic use are often called ''utensils''. |
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Observation has confirmed that that [[:Category:Tool-using species|multiple species can use tools]], including [[monkey]]s, [[apes]], several [[bird]]s, [[sea otter]]s, and others. Philosophers originally thought that only humans had the ability to ''make'' tools, until [[zoologist]]s observed birds<ref>[http://users.ox.ac.uk/~kgroup/diameter_select.pdf Selection of tool diameter by New Caledonian crows ''Corvus moneduloides''], Jackie Chappell and Alex Kacelnik November 29, 2003</ref> and monkeys<ref>[http://williamcalvin.com/bk2/bk2ch3.htm The Throwing Madonna: Essays on the Brain], William H. Calvin</ref><ref>[http://www.pbs.org/saf/1504/resources/transcript.htm Scientific American Frontiers, Program#1504 "Chimp Minds"] transcript PBS.org Airdate February 9, 2005</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rollinghillswildlife.com/animals/c/chimpanzee/|title=Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure: Chimpanzee}}</ref> making tools. Now humans' unique relationship to tools is considered to be that we are the only species that uses tools to make ''other'' tools.{{Citation needed|date=July 2007}} |
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Most [[anthropology|anthropologists]] believe that the use of tools was an important step in the [[human evolution|evolution of mankind]].<ref name=lilley>Sam Lilley, ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=Cj0EAAAAMAAJ&q=tools+history&dq=tools+history&pgis=1 Men, Machines and History: The Story of Tools and Machines in Relation to Social Progress]'', 1948 Cobbett Press.</ref> Humans evolved an [[opposable thumb]] — useful in holding tools — and increased dramatically in intelligence, which aided in the use of tools.<ref>[http://www.emc.maricopa.edu/faculty/farabee/biobk/BioBookHumEvol.html Primates and Their Adaptations, 2001], M.J. Farabee. Retrieved on November 6, 2006.</ref> |
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==Functions== |
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* Cutting tools, such as the [[knife]], [[scythe]] or [[sickle]], are wedge-shaped implements that produce a [[Shear stress|shearing force]] along a narrow face. Ideally, the edge of the tool needs to be [[Hardness|harder]] than the material being cut or else the blade will become dulled with repeated use. But even resilient tools will require periodic [[sharpening]], which is the process of removing deformation wear from the edge. Also [[gouge]]s and [[drill bit]]s. |
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* Moving tools move huge and tiny things, e.g. concentrating force tools like the [[hammer]] moves a nail, the [[maul]] moves a stake, or a [[whip]] moves flesh on a horse. These operate by applying [[physical compression]] to a surface. In the case of the [[screwdriver]], the force is sideways and called [[torque]]. [[Writing implements]] deliver a fluid to a surface via compression to activate the ink cartridge. Also grabbing and twisting nuts and bolts with [[pliers]], a [[glove]], a [[wrench]], etc. All these tools move items by some kind of force. Also [[Truck]]s, [[Rockets]] and [[airplane|Planes]] move larger items and [[particle accelerators]] move very small items. |
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* Tools which enact chemical changes, including temperature and ignition, such as [[lighter]]s, [[blowtorch]]es and [[solvent]] sprays. |
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* Guiding and measuring tools include the [[ruler]], [[set square]], [[straightedge]] and [[theodolite]]. |
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* Shaping tools, such as [[moulds]], [[Jig (tool)|jigs]], [[trowels]], concrete [[formwork]], [[caulk]], [[concrete]]. |
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* Fastening tools, such as [[welder]]s, [[rivet gun]]s, [[nail gun]]s, [[glue gun]]s, [[glue]]. |
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Protective gear items are not considered tools, because they do not directly help perform work, just protect the worker like ordinary clothing. [[Personal protective equipment]] includes such items as [[glove]]s, [[safety glasses]], [[ear defender]]s and [[biohazard]] suits. |
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===Tool substitution=== |
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Often, by design or coincidence, a tool may share key functional attributes with one or more other tools. In this case, some tools can substitute for other tools, either as a make-shift solution or as a matter of practical efficiency. "One tool does it all" is a motto of some importance for workers who cannot practically carry every specialized tool to the location of every work task. Tool substitution may be divided broadly into two classes: substitution "by-design", or "multi-purpose" use, and substitution as make-shift. In many cases, the designed secondary functions of tools are not widely known. As an example of the former, many wood-cutting [[hand saws]] integrate a [[carpenter's square]] by incorporating a specially shaped handle which allows 90° and 45° angles to be marked by aligning the appropriate part of the handle with an edge and scribing along the back edge of the saw. The latter is illustrated by the saying "All tools can be used as hammers." Nearly all tools can be re purposed to function as a hammer, even though very few tools are intentionally designed for it. |
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====Multi-use tools==== |
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* A [[multitool]] is a hand tool that incorporates several tools into a single, portable device. |
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* [[Lineman's pliers]] incorporate a gripper and cutter, and are often used secondarily as a [[hammer]]. |
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* [[Hand saw]]s often incorporate the functionality of the [[carpenter's square]] in the right-angle between the blade's dull edge and the saw's handle. |
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==History== |
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{{main | History of technology}} |
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Because tools are used extensively by both humans and wild [[chimpanzee]]s, it is widely assumed that the first routine use of tools took place prior to the divergence between the two species.<!-- |
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--><ref>Whiten, A., J. Goodall, W. C. McGrew, T. Nishida, V. Reynolds, Y. Sugiyama, C. E. G. Tutin, R. W. Wrangham, and C. Boesch. 1999. Cultures in Chimpanzees. ''Nature'' 399:682-685. Panger, M. A., A. S. Brooks, B. G. Richmond, and B. Wood. 2002. Older than the Oldowan? Rethinking the emergence of hominin tool use. ''Evolutionary Anthropology: Issues, News, and Reviews'' 11:235-245.</ref><!-- |
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--> These early tools, however, were likely made of perishable materials such as sticks, or consisted of unmodified stones that cannot be distinguished from other stones as tools. The beginning of the [[Stone Age]] marks the era when [[hominina|hominin]]s first began manufacturing [[stone tool]]s, and evidence of these tools dates back at least 2.6 million years in [[Ethiopia]].<!-- |
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--><ref>Semaw, S., M. J. Rogers, J. Quade, P. R. Renne, R. F. Butler, M. Domínguez-Rodrigo, D. Stout, W. S. Hart, T. Pickering, and S. W. Simpson. 2003. 2.6-Million-year-old stone tools and associated bones from OGS-6 and OGS-7, Gona, Afar, Ethiopia. ''Journal of Human Evolution'' 45:169-177.</ref><!-- |
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--> The transition from stone to metal tools roughly coincided with the development of [[agriculture]] around the 4th millennium BC. |
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[[Mechanics|Mechanical]] devices experienced a major expansion in their use in the [[Middle Ages]] with the systematic employment of new energy sources: water ([[waterwheel]]s) and wind ([[windmill]]s). |
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[[Machine tool]]s occasioned a surge in producing new tools in the [[industrial revolution]]. Advocates of [[nanotechnology]] expect a similar surge as tools become microscopic in size.<ref>[http://www.forbes.com/2004/01/28/cx_dw_0129pollnanotechmidas04_xyz.html Nanotechnology: Big Potential In Tiny Particles], David Whelan. Retrieved on November 6, 2006</ref><ref>[http://news.thomasnet.com/IMT/archives/2004/03/will_this_tiny.html?t=archive Will this Tiny Science Usher in the Next Industrial Revolution?], Katrina C. Arabe. Retrieved on November 6, 2006</ref> |
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==See also== |
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{{commonscat|Tools}} |
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* [[Device paradigm]] |
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* [[Toolmaker]] |
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* [[List of tool-lending libraries]] |
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* [[Toolbank]] |
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* [[Tool use by animals]] |
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* [[:Category:Tool-using species]] |
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==Notes== |
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{{Reflist}} |
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{{Types of tools}} |
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[[Category:Manufacturing]] |
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[[Category:Tools| ]] |
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[[ar:أداة]] |
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[[az:Alət]] |
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[[zh-min-nan:Ke-si]] |
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[[bs:Alat]] |
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[[ca:Estri]] |
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[[cs:Nástroj]] |
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[[da:Værktøj]] |
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[[de:Werkzeug]] |
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[[et:Tööriist]] |
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[[el:Εργαλείο]] |
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[[es:Herramienta]] |
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[[eo:Laborilo]] |
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[[eu:Tresna]] |
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[[fr:Outil]] |
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[[fy:Ark]] |
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[[gd:Acfhainn]] |
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[[gl:Ferramenta]] |
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[[ko:도구]] |
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[[hi:उपकरण]] |
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[[hr:Alat]] |
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[[io:Utensilo]] |
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[[id:Alat]] |
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[[is:Verkfæri]] |
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[[it:Utensile]] |
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[[he:כלי]] |
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[[lv:Darbarīks]] |
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[[li:Gereidsjap]] |
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[[hu:Szerszám]] |
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[[nl:Gereedschap]] |
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[[nds-nl:Raaive]] |
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[[ja:道具]] |
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[[no:Redskap]] |
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[[nn:Reiskap]] |
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[[nrm:Ôti]] |
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[[pl:Narzędzie]] |
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[[pt:Ferramenta]] |
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[[qu:Irraminta]] |
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[[ru:Инструмент]] |
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[[scn:Arnisi]] |
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[[simple:Tool]] |
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[[sk:Nástroj]] |
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[[sl:Orodje]] |
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[[sr:Alat]] |
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[[sh:Alat]] |
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[[fi:Työkalu]] |
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[[sv:Verktyg]] |
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[[chr:ᎪᎱᏍᏗ ᎬᏔᏂᏓᏍᏗ]] |
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[[tr:Âlet]] |
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[[vls:Alloam]] |
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[[yi:ווערקצייג]] |
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[[zh-yue:架生]] |
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[[zh:工具]] |
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Revision as of 19:36, 2 December 2009
nick christian