The invention of the bolt and nut is often credited to a British engineer from Scotland named John Wilkinson in the year 1760. He is also known for his work in the production of iron, using a precision boring machine that he invented and built himself.
His contributions to the industrial revolution can easily be seen in the innovations he unveiled throughout his career, including the development of a craft system that he applied to the process of machining metals.
Before Wilkinson, bolts and nuts were made from separate components and required a skilled artisan to craft them. With Wilkinson’s invention, many components could be quickly and accurately joined together – an innovation that saved time and money and helped fuel the industrial revolution.
When were nut and bolt invented?
The invention of the modern nut and bolt dates back to the Middle Ages, when it was first used by stone masons to secure blocks. Blacksmiths later used nuts and bolts to manufacture simple fasteners for tools and other items.
By the 17th century, more complex shapes and threads were being developed and the industrial revolution further revolutionized the technology. In the 19th century, the basic shape and design of the nut and bolt took its modern form, with a uniform standard for threading introduced in England.
This opened up a huge new market for the production of nuts and bolts and also allowed for the mechanization of manufacturing. Despite adjustments and improvements in the 20th century, the basic shapes of the nut and bolt have remained unchanged.
Who invented the first threaded bolt?
Although it is impossible to definitively answer who ‘invented’ the first threaded bolt, we do have a potential point of origin. The earliest recorded use of threaded fasteners is from ancient China around 2000 BC.
These fasteners were used to assemble lacquered bamboo strips for writing, but evidence of their use for other practical applications can be found throughout ancient Chinese culture. In addition to being used in weapons and chariots, threaded fasteners were found in statues, jewelry, and even musical instruments.
The earliest recorded mentions of these fasteners describe them as having a square cross-section, with threads arranged as a continuous spiral, not unlike modern thread forms. It is likely that they were made using a tap and die set, and this method of fabrication makes them similar to modern threaded screws, nails, and bolts.
Over the centuries, threaded fasteners evolved in various cultures. In the 19th century, coarser threads became established in Europe and North America, and it was during this period that the first “modern” threaded bolt was patented in 1838 by French engineer Charles Leormand.
Leormand used a single piece of metal that had a helical thread cut from one end to the opposite end, enabling it to be tightened and loosened with a wrench, unlike threaded nails and screws which required an internal thread to be tapped or bored.
This innovation was revolutionary, and eventually became the dominant thread form for many applications.
So, while the specific inventor of the first threaded bolt may never be identified, it has been possible to trace its roots back to ancient China and its influence in the 19th century industrial revolution.
Where was the first screw invented?
The first screw is believed to have been invented by the Ancient Greeks, around the 5th century BC. The Ancient Greeks used screws as a way to join objects together, such as adding a decorative handle to a pot.
Archaeologists have found screws in Ancient Greek art, as well as tools used to create them. It is thought that the Ancient Greek screws were made with a blacksmith and a chisel. They were formed by manually winding an iron bar around a mandrel and then cutting away the excess metal.
From these beginnings, the invention of the screw has evolved over centuries. The modern twisted-in shape of the screw came from a method developed by Archimedes in the 3rd century BC. By the 18th century, screws were used in woodwork and metalwork for fastening and holding objects together.
The screw was also improved in the 19th century, with the invention of the machine screw, which allowed for mass production of screws with accurate threads.
What is a screw hole called?
A screw hole is a hole drilled into a material where a fastener, such as a screw, can be inserted. It is sometimes referred to as an internal tap, tapped hole, or tapped thread because the hole is usually dipped using a tap, which is a tool used to cut or form threads on the inside surface of a drilled hole.
A screw hole can be used in a variety of applications and has been used for centuries. Aside from direct screw assembly, it can also be used in combination with clips, nuts, and bolts. A properly sized screw hole is essential for the successful and secure installation of the fastener.
What is a bolt without a head called?
A bolt without a head is often referred to as an “unheaded bolt. ” It is simply a threaded rod that is usually used in conjunction with a nut. Unheaded bolts may be used in a variety of different applications including the fastening together of panels, frames, and other components.
These bolts are often used in situations where a low profile head or no head at all is preferred, or in cases where a recessed head is necessary. Unheaded bolts may also be used in conjunction with other components such as washers, clips, and screws.
What is the female part of a bolt called?
The female part of a bolt is technically referred to as the nut. A nut, along with a washer, is placed on the bolt and tightened so the bolt can hold two objects together. The nut is the portion of the bolt that has internal threads, while the bolt has external threads.
The threads of the two parts are designed to interlock such that when the nut is tightened onto the bolt it will provide a solid connection between the two objects. The threads of the bolt and the nut will match, with the nut having threads of the same diameter, pitch, and thread angle as the bolt.
Nuts are available in a range of materials, sizes, and shapes to suit different applications.
When did screws originate?
The concept of screws has been around for centuries, being used in various forms in Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. The earliest known screw dates back to around 500-300 BC, when it was used in the Ancient Greek Antikythera mechanism.
This was an ancient mechanical geared device used to calculate the movement of stars in the sky.
By the Middle Ages, screws had evolved to become useful devices in clocks, locks, and printing presses. In the 16th century, the use of screws became more widespread, being used in pumps and other machines.
However, the screws at this time were crude and somewhat limited in their scope of use.
A major development came in 1760 when British engineer, Joseph Bramah, invented the die-head screw-cutting lathe. This allowed for mass production of screws with more precise and uniform threads, making them more efficient and accurate for use in a wide variety of applications.
Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, further improvements were made to screws, such as the invention of self-tapping screws, torque-controlled screws, and different drive types such as hex and Phillips to name just a few.
In the 21st century, advances in technology have continued to improve screws, making them more versatile and durable than ever.
How did they make the first screws?
The exact method used to make the first screws is unknown, but most experts believe that screws were first manufactured using a process called “screw-cutting”, which dates back to at least the Middle Ages.
The screw-cutting process originated in France, and works by using a tool called a “die head”—a screw-shaped block with a threaded hole in the center—and a knife-like tool called a “tap”. The die head would be fixed in a vise or clamped onto a workbench while the tap was inserted into the die head and rotated, cutting threads into the material.
The threads would be brushed and polished to give the screw threads a uniform, smooth finish. This type of screw-making was a slow and laborious process, but due to the lack of machines or other tools at the time, it was the only way to easily create a threaded screw.
As technology advanced and machines were invented, the production of screws and other threaded fasteners became much easier and faster.
What year did nuts and bolts come out?
The modern nuts and bolts we use today have been around for centuries, however their exact invention date is unknown. The earliest recorded use of nuts and bolts can be found in carpenter’s manuals from the end of the 18th century.
Various fastener varieties were commonplace in furniture making from 1760 onward. Metal nuts and bolts gained popularity in the early 19th century, being commonly used in manufacturing and engineering projects between 1800 and 1850.
This era was also responsible for the invention of many modern-day thread forms like National Coarse (NC) and National Fine (NF). The mass production of nuts and bolts for machinery came about in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as manufacturers relied more and more on interchangeable parts.
By the mid-20th century, the widely used Unified Thread Standard (USS) was introduced by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Today, nuts and bolts are produced in a variety of sizes and styles to meet the needs of modern industry.
How old are square nuts and bolts?
Square nuts and bolts are not as common as regular hex nuts and bolts, so it is difficult to accurately determine how old they are. However, square nuts and bolts have been in use for hundreds of years and were popular during the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century.
It is likely that they have been in use since the 16th century or earlier, when blacksmithing was the dominant form of metalworking. So, square nuts and bolts are quite old and have been used in metalworking and engineering for centuries!.
When did nuts go from square to hex?
The first use of the hexagonal-shaped nut appeared sometime in the 1940s and is attributed to a Mr. F. W. Gartside of the Standard-Triumph Motor Company in the United Kingdom. According to a 1960 publication by the Automotive Engineer, the switch from square nuts to hexagonal shape was done to reduce rounding of the edges, which would cause the nut to slip more easily during use.
The sides were also made simpler so they could be machined more quickly. Additionally, the larger size of the hexagonal-shaped nut would better resist rotational force, making them more durable and reliable than the square-shaped nuts that were previously used.
Hexagonal nuts are now an industry standard due to their improved strength and ease of use.
Why are bolts hexagonal and not square?
Bolts, in general, are designed to have a geometry that can best maximize the friction between the nut and the bolt so that the bolt can be securely fastened. A hexagonal bolt provides the most contact between the nut and bolt when compared to other shapes such as squares or circles.
Unlike a circle, which only has a single line of contact, a hexagonal shape can provide three lines of contact, equidistant from each other which makes for a much more secure fastening. The corners of the hexagon also add extra grip which further ensures a solid connection.
Additionally, since a hexagon can provide the most contact between the two pieces, it requires less effort to secure and unscrew the bolt, making it more energy efficient and easy to handle. Thus, it makes more sense to use hexagonal bolts over other shapes.
When did they stop making square head bolts?
Square head bolts were popular during the 19th and early 20th centuries in Europe and America as they were relatively simple to manufacture. However, they became less popular as production techniques developed, as they are more difficult to machine than the round head bolts which became commonplace in the mid-20th century.
By the latter half of the 20th century, production of square head bolts had largely ceased and round head bolts were in widespread use.
Is Allen wrench same as hex?
No, an Allen wrench is not the same as a hex. An Allen wrench is a type of wrench that has a hexagonal shape and is used to turn hex screws and bolts. A hex, on the other hand, is a six-sided item, usually made of metal, plastic, or composite material, used in various applications such as fasteners, tools, and machine parts.
While they are both hexagonal, they are not the same items, and an Allen wrench cannot be used in place of a hex.
When did screws become common?
Screws have been around since the first century B. C. and have been mentioned in the writings of the Greek philosopher, Archytas. However, they did not become common until the 15th century, as advanced tools and methods of machining allowed for the mass production of screws.
During the Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries, screws were widely used to construct all types of machinery and equipment. By the 20th century, screws had become ubiquitous and can now be found in almost every modern piece of technology.
