See Also

Tool

A tool or device is a piece of equipment that provides a mechanical advantage Mechanical advantage

In physics [i] and engineering [i], mechanical advantage is the factor by which a mechanism multiplies ... 

 in accomplishing a physical task. The most basic tools are simple machines. For example, a crowbar simply functions as a lever Lever

In physics [i], a lever ... 

. The further out from the pivot point, the more force is transmitted along the lever. When particularly intended for domestic use, a tool is often called a utensil. Philosopher Philosophy

[i] ... 

s once thought that only human Human

Humans, or human beings, are biped [i]al primate [i]s belonging to the mammal [i]ian species ... 

s used tools, and often defined humans as tool-using animals. But observation has confirmed that monkey Monkey

A monkey is a member of either of two of the three groupings of simian [i] primate [i]s. ... 

s, apes Ape

Apes are the members of the Hominoidea superfamily [i] of primate [i]s, which includes humans. ... 

 and other animal Animal

Animals are a major group of organism [i]s, classified as the kingdom [i] Animalia or ... 

s, mostly primate Primate

A primate is any member of the biological order [i] Primates, the group that contains all ... 

s, but also some bird Bird

Birds are biped [i]al, warm-blooded [i], oviparous [i] vertebrate [i] animals characterized [i] ... 

s , and sea otter Sea Otter

[i], from northern [[Japan]... 

s can use tools as well.

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Quotations

Get out your calculators. (Before the Lateralus chorus kicks in live.)

Hello, we're Tool. Just a reminder for those of you who are too fucked on acid to remember.

I am not a scientologist nor should anyone else be.

I hate children. I like to smack them around and kick them.

I want you to take these feelings home with you, and remember them, and create something positive with them.

It's all about change and evolution individually as well as universally. It's also about unity (on Ænima).

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Encyclopedia



A tool or device is a piece of equipment that provides a mechanical advantage Mechanical advantage

In physics [i] and engineering [i], mechanical advantage is the factor by which a mechanism multiplies ... 

 in accomplishing a physical task. The most basic tools are simple machines. For example, a crowbar simply functions as a lever Lever

In physics [i], a lever
... 

. The further out from the pivot point, the more force is transmitted along the lever. When particularly intended for domestic use, a tool is often called a utensil.

Philosopher Philosophy

[i]
... 

s once thought that only human Human

Humans, or human beings, are biped [i]al primate [i]s belonging to the mammal [i]ian species ... 

s used tools, and often defined humans as tool-using animals. But observation has confirmed that monkey Monkey

A monkey is a member of either of two of the three groupings of simian [i] primate [i]s. ... 

s, apes Ape

Apes are the members of the Hominoidea superfamily [i] of primate [i]s, which includes humans. ... 

 and other animal Animal

Animals are a major group of organism [i]s, classified as the kingdom [i] Animalia or ... 

s, mostly primate Primate

A primate is any member of the biological order [i] Primates, the group that contains all ... 

s, but also some bird Bird

Birds are biped [i]al, warm-blooded [i], oviparous [i] vertebrate [i] animals characterized [i] ... 

s , and sea otter Sea Otter

[i], from northern [[Japan]... 

s can use tools as well. Later, philosophers thought that only humans had the ability to make tools, until zoologist Zoology

Zoology is the biological [i] discipline [i] which involves the study of animal [i] ... 

s observed birds and monkeys
making tools.

Non-physical entities such as process Process

Process is a naturally occurring or designed sequence of change [i]s of properties [i]/attribute [i] ... 

 , information architecture, creativity Creativity

Creativity is a mental process involving the generation of new ideas or concepts, or new associations be... 

 and learning Learning

Learning is the process [i] of acquiring knowledge [i], skill [i]s, attitude [i]s, or value [i] ... 

 itself are all invaluable tools that we humans use to better ourselves individually and collectively . Certainly, the term "tool" should not be limited strictly to physical objects, but also cognitive methodologies as described below.

Most anthropologists Anthropology

Anthropology consists of the study of humanity [i] . ... 

 believe that the use of tools was an important step in the evolution of mankind. Humans evolved an opposable thumb  and an increase in intelligence .

Most tools can also serve as weapons Weapon

A weapon is a tool [i] which is intended to or is used to injure [i], kill, or [i] ... 

, such as a hammer Hammer

A hammer is meant to deliver blows to a target, causing it to move or deform.... 

 or a knife Knife

A knife is a sharp-edged hand tool used for cutting [i]. ... 

. Similarly, people can use weapons, such as explosive Explosive material

Any explosive material has the following characteristics:
... 

s, as tools.

Tools can also be purely cognitive, such as a written language.

Functions of tools


Many tools or groups of tools serve to perform one or more of a set of basic operations, such as:

  • Cutting
  • Concentrating force
  • Guiding
  • Protecting
  • Seizing and holding

Tool substitution


Often by design or coincidence a tool may share attributes with one or more other tools in terms of their basic functionality. 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", and substitution as make-shift. In many cases, the designed secondary functions of tools are not widely known. For example, 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.
Multi-use tools

  • Lineman's pliers Lineman's pliers

    Lineman's pliers, also called combination pliers are a type of pliers [i] used by Electrician [i]s ... 

     incorporate a gripper and cutter, and are commonly used secondarily as a hammer Hammer

    A hammer is meant to deliver blows to a target, causing it to move or deform.... 

    .
  • Hand saws often incorporate the functionality of the carpenter's square in the right-angle between the blade's dull edge and the saw's handle.

History


Use of tools started at the beginning of the stone age Stone Age

The period encompasses the first widespread use of technology [i] in human evolution [i] and the spread of humanity [i] ... 

. Humans have fabricated knives, amongst the oldest tools, since that time.

Mechanical devices, though known to Alexandria Alexandria

Alexandria , , is the second-largest city in Egypt [i], and its largest seaport. ... 

n Greeks, experienced a major expansion in their use in the Middle Ages Middle Ages

The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history [i] ... 

 with the systematic employment of new energy sources: water and wind .

Machine tools occasioned a surge in producing new tools in the industrial revolution Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution was the major technological [i], socioeconomic [i] a ... 

. Advocates of nanotechnology Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology is a field of applied science focused on the design, synthesis, characterization and appl... 

 expect a similar surge as tools move down-scale.

See also


  • Antique Tools

References