The first industrial process for making screws was developed in England in the 1760s but it was Cullen Whipple of Providence, RI, who invented the automated method of cutting screws in 1842. From the beginning the slotted head, driven by the flat-bladed driver, was the standard.
When was the slotted head screw invented?
The first documentation of the tool is in the medieval Housebook of Wolfegg Castle, a manuscript written sometime between 1475 and 1490. These earliest screwdrivers had pear-shaped handles and were made for slotted screws (diversification of the many types of screwdrivers did not emerge until the Gilded Age).
Who invented flat head screw?
The credited inventor of the Phillips screw was John P. Thompson who, in 1932, patented (#1,908,080) a recessed cruciform screw and in 1933, a screwdriver for it.
Why do they still make slotted screws?
Because they don’t strip nearly as easily as Philips-heads do, particularly if the p-h is on decorative brass hardware. That point made by the X in a p-h is very fragile and easy to destroy unless the screw is hardened steel.
Do people still use slotted screws?
The slotted head screw (commonly but incorrectly called a flat head) is the oldest type of screw in use today. Now, they are mostly used for decorative purposes and have less “impact”. Many people think they are used on light switch covers still for this reason.
Who invented pozidriv screws?
The Pozidriv was patented by GKN Screws and Fasteners in 1962. It was designed to allow more torque to be applied and greater engagement than Phillips drives.
Who invented Phillips head?
The Phillips screw and driver, originally invented by Portlander John P. Thompson, dramatically increased the speed of manufacturing and made the Phillips screwdriver a necessity in every toolbox.
Why is screwdriver called Phillips?
Since a standard flat-head didn’t fit cleanly into the head of a screw, Phillips designed a different screwdriver to fit his new invention. This new screwdriver came to be known as the Phillips screwdriver and completed what is now known as the Phillips system.
What is flathead screwdriver?
A flat-head screwdriver is a screwdriver with a wedge-shaped flat tip, used to tighten or loosen screws that have a straight, linear notch in their heads. This is arguably the most common tool on the planet—the ubiquitous flat-head screwdriver.
Why do flathead screws still exist?
Why? Because some manufacturers have not yet experienced the perfection that is the Robertson head screw… Flat head screws are good for wood as they prevent overtightening and thus help prevent stripping.
Why do Phillips screws exist?
In the early 1930s, the Phillips head screw was invented by Oregon businessman Henry Phillips (1889–1958). Automobile manufacturers now used car assembly lines. They needed screws that could take greater torque and could provide tighter fastenings.
Why are there both Phillips and flat head screws?
The reason for the different styles is cost and torque. Phillips screws are self-centering, making powered screwdrivers possible. They’re somewhat more expensive to produce than slotted-head. They tend to ‘cam-out’ easily under torque, making it hard to apply much torque.
Why are star screws used?
The Star (also known as Torx) has a six-point, star-shaped drive that was developed mainly to enhance tamper resistance and ensure snug fits. The star design drivers cut down on the risk stripping the screw heads, slippage, or cam-outs, with tight, specific fits.
Is slotted screwdriver same as Flathead?
Everyone knows what a flathead screwdriver looks like, but that is actually not the correct term. This type of driver is technically known as a standard or slotted screwdriver. It’s known as standard because it was the original form of driver head.
Why are there different Screwheads?
Answer: The primary reason for the wide variety of screw head drive types is to ensure the fact that you will never have the proper screwdriver close at hand when you need it.
Why do we use Phillips head?
Phillips screw heads allow a tighter fit than a flat head screw, which is why most factories and handymen use them. The screws tend to be lightweight and relatively small. The trick is to match your screwdriver to the type and size of screws you’re using.
What does a Phillips head screwdriver look like?
A Phillips screwdriver has a head with pointed edges in the shape of a cross, which fits neatly into the cross slots of a Phillips screw. Phillips screwdrivers are available in five different sizes, from zero to four. If you don’t use the right size, you can easily strip a Phillips screw, making it difficult to remove.
