Tool
From Free net encyclopedia
- For other uses, see Tool (disambiguation).
Nima Ameri
A tool is a device that (most commonly) provides a mechanical advantage in accomplishing a physical task.
The most basic tools are simple machines. For example, a crowbar simply functions as a lever. The further out from the pivot point, the more force is transmitted along the lever.
Philosophers once thought that only humans used tools, and often defined humans as tool-using animals. But observation has confirmed that monkeys, apes and other animals, mostly primates, but also some birds (ravens, for instance), and sea otters can use tools as well. Later, philosophers thought that only humans had the ability to make tools, until zoologists observed birds[1] and monkeys[2][3][4] making tools.
Non-physical entities such as Process (Improvement or Reengineering ), Information architecture, Creativity, and Learning itself are all invaluable tools that we humans use to better ourselves individually and collectively (or Collaboratively). Certainly, the term "tool" should not be limited strictly to physical objects, but also cognitive methodologies as described below.
Most anthropologists believe that the use of tools was an important step in the evolution of mankind. Humans evolved an opposable thumb (useful to hold the tools) and an increase in intelligence (aiding in the use of tools).
Most tools can also serve as weapons, such as the hammer and the knife. Similarly, people can use weapons, such as explosives, 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 (knife, scythe, sickle, etc...)
- Concentrating force (hammer, maul, screwdriver, whip, writing implements, etc...)
- Guiding (set square, algorithm, straight edge, tradition, etc...)
- Protecting
- Seizing and holding (pliers, glove, wrench, etc...)
History
Template:Mergewith Template:Commons Use of tools started at the beginning of the Stone age. Humans have fabricated knives, amongst the oldest tools, since that time.
Mechanical devices, though known to Alexandrian Greeks, experienced a major expansion in their use in the Middle Ages with the systematic employment of new energy sources: water (waterwheels) and wind (windmills).
Machine tools occasioned a surge in producing new tools in the Industrial revolution. Advocates of nanotechnology expect a similar surge as tools move down-scale.
See also
Template:Metalworking - Metalworking hand tools - Minics:Nástroj da:Værktøj de:Werkzeug el:Εργαλείο es:Herramienta eo:Ilo fr:Outil io:Utensilo he:כלי nl:Gereedschap ja:道具 nn:Reiskap pl:Narzędzie pt:Ferramenta simple:Tool sk:Tool (hudobná skupina) sl:Orodje sr:Алат sh:Alat fi:Työkalu sv:Verktyg tr:Alet zh:工具