A History of Power Tools and Their Impact on Today’s Industrial Applications
There is no garage complete without a set of dusty power tools including drills, table saws, circular saws, nail guns, compressors, or any other important part of the weekend warriors arsenal. Power tools are common usage today, especially for the growing population of Do-It-Yourselfers working on unique projects for their home and offices. Yet, power tools began as a central part of many industrial processes and became quite indispensable in heavy-duty projects. The search for effective tools is nothing new. From the beginning of human history, we have always sought better ways to increase our work capacity and enhance our labor efficiency. The incredible and sophisticated tools we use today for any number of tasks means that there is a long history of their development.
Industrial Supply: The Role of Power Tools, Compressed Air, and More
When it comes to power tools in the industrial sector, they are a big part of many important processes. Compressed air systems, for example, are an important medium for the transfer of energy in many of these tasks and are used for heavy-duty industrial power tools such as air hammers, drills, wrenches, and more. They allow for the production of much more power and “elbow grease.” Compressed air piping is a big component of many modern industrial jobs. Ensuring quality layout, installation, and maintenance of all material ensures proper operation. Aluminum piping is a good choice for optimal performance and reliability for any industrial application, whether you use air with or without oil. Aluminum pipes are anti-corrosive, lightweight, and offer quick connections. Aluminum is the primary choice of many industry leaders, as aluminum keeps compressed air clean and is non-corrosive. At Wisco Supply, we proudly carry Gardner Denver brand compressed air piping. Curious about this product’s benefits? Then give us a call!
The Path Towards Modern Power Tools
But how did we reach this point in time? The path towards modern tools and advancements such as aluminum piping finds its origins as far back as ancient Egyptian times. Some would argue that power tools begin as early as the ancient civilization of Egypt. They will cite the hand-powered lathe as one of the earliest iterations of what we might consider a power tool. The power was generated by a two-person system. One person would be in charge of turning the wood piece with a rope and the other person used a sharp tool to cut shapes into the wood.
Power tools operated in much the same way for many hundreds of years to come. It wasn’t until the world began its shift into industrialization that several key inventions led the way towards the modern power tools of today. Thomas Edison invented the incandescent lamp, which makes light by using electricity to heat a thin strip of material (filament) until it becomes hot enough to produce a glow. It took Edison and his crew plenty of tries to get it right; they worked endlessly on three thousand different theories on how to develop an efficient incandescent lamp. Once this happened, however, it opened the way for the use of this technology for other uses.
Modern Tools After Edison’s Incandescent Lamp
In 1895, a German company called C&E Fein was one of the first companies to be credited for producing the primary power tool. The company invented a revolutionary combination of the power of the manual drill with the power of the electric motor. Hence, the power tool! About a decade later, a well-known tool company today named Black and Decker took some very clever ideas from the Colt 45 automatic pistol. This became the pistol-grip, trigger-switch electric drill that we all know today. Several other companies made their way into the industry and contributed their own unique touch to the advent of power tools. In 1923, Dewalt introduced the first radial arm saw and soon thereafter the well-known tool manufacturer Dewalt was born. Bosch, another household name in tools, had a very specific aim in manufacturing: making tools convenient, easy, and safe to use for a wide mass of people. They introduced the plastic casing for proper protection and later would come to invent the cordless power drill. The 70s, in addition to bell-bottoms and great rock music, was a big decade for the tool industry as well. This included the very convenient battery-operated power tools and what became lighter, safer, and much more efficient hand-held easily operated power tools.
Finding the Right Tools for Your Industry
Today, power tools used at home and in factories and industrial plants are able to pack more power in smaller and more efficient tools. Today, it is all about advanced functionality and ergonomic design. If you’ve operated a modern hand-held power drill today, you know first-hand that they are engineered to provide considerable work power in a compact design. This goes for both industrial-grade tools and home tools that you collect in your garage.
Here at Wisco Supply, we specialize in providing the latest and best quality industrial supplies for your applications and heavy-duty jobs. Connect with us today and find out how we can help you enhance your work today.
