Humans have been building with wood for the entirety of our existence. Analysis of stone tools used by the Neanderthals in Europe shows they were used to work timber as far back as 160,000 years ago. Along with mud and stone, timber is one of humanity’s earliest building materials, and it has been used to create everything from tools, hunting equipment and transport to housing and furniture. Despite humble beginnings with tools made of stone and flint, woodworking has persisted throughout all of history, eventually becoming the sophisticated, modern industry we know today. But, to really appreciate the convenience of modern power tools and machinery, it’s worth looking back through history to see the evolution of woodworking.
Woodworking in Prehistory
While some of the earliest traces of woodworking have been tied to the Neanderthals, most of their creations were simple worked pieces of wood. Tools made of stone and flint were used to carve sticks and shape spears for hunting. Humans made steady progress from there. Archaeological findings from China and Egypt show they were using sophisticated woodworking tools to create housing and furniture, some of which is still preserved today. Ancient Egyptians mostly used copper hand tools, such as axes, chisels, saws and bow drills, although bronze tools took over after about 2000 BC. Despite their simple tools, Ancient Egyptians are also credited for developing woodworking techniques that still persist, like mortise and tenoning, wooden pegs and dowels, and using glues to strengthen joints.
Woodworking in the 17th and 18th Century
Wood continued to be an important building material for thousands of years. Although many Eastern countries developed iron tools much sooner, Europeans only began to use this newer, tougher metal around 500 BC. From there, steady progress was made. Tools improved and woodworkers honed their techniques until they became very proficient at producing sturdy structures and intricate designs using hand tools.
The next major evolution took place during the 17th and 18th centuries when metalworkers refined the steelmaking process. With access to better steel, woodworking tools took a major leap forward, with saws, chisels and boring tools all becoming tougher and more effective. The steel hand saw in particular allowed woodworkers to process larger amounts of timber with greater accuracy, leading to better and more refined products.
Woodworking in the Industrial Revolution
18th-century woodworking advances were one of the major precursors to the Industrial Revolution that followed. Finally able to work materials with greater accuracy, woodworkers contributed significantly to our ability to mechanise the world. Along with previous advances to saw blades, the Industrial Revolution saw the rise in other cutting and boring tools, like bench planes and augers. These were able to shape timber with great ease, leading to even more sophisticated techniques and products.
Finally, the first powered tools came into existence when steam engines were used to bring woodworking factories to life. These machines were simple at their core, with each factory having a large engine and a central driveshaft that was used to power all of their equipment with leather belt drives.
The Evolution of Woodworking Tools
From crude stone tools to the Bronze Age and into the modern era, woodworking equipment has come a long way. Timber continues to be one of the world’s most versatile and renewable building materials, and the woodworking industry has evolved to keep pace. Many of our modern machines are remarkably similar to their predecessors. The industry still makes heavy use of saws, drills, planes and lathes, although our equipment is now powered by electric motors, sophisticated computers and tough tool steels and carbides. We owe many modern conveniences to advances in the woodworking industry. Things like affordable furniture and houses would never have been possible without industrial timber manufacturing.
Looking for Woodworking Machinery Solutions? Contact Stirling Machinery Today!
Industrial machinery has been powering the timber industry for more than a century now. Modern advancements in woodworking technologies have made things like quality furniture and timber more accessible than ever. Stirling Machinery proudly supports that effort, supplying world-class timber manufacturing solutions that help businesses unlock their production potential. Speak to us about our range of equipment today and let our team tailor a solution that can help your business meet its production goals and power the future.
