History Of Drill Bits: Part 1 - The Early Beginnings

Drill bits have been important tools for most of human history, ranging from areas such as construction, manufacturing as well as surgery and the aerospace industry. Creating holes in a large range of material has been useful to humans for hundreds of generations. However, advancements within drill bits have been numerous. Starting from simple tools to modern marvels that a few in the modern day truly understand. This insight series of posts from Quality Tools UK, explores the history of drill bits, uncovering their origins, the different type of drill bits invented and how they changed and evolved throughout history. This blog post is part 1 of the series, looking at the history from the very early known primitive forms of drilling tools to evolution of blacksmiths in the Medieval Period.

Early Beginnings: Primitive Drilling Techniques

Drilling has existed almost as far back as humans do. Existing as one of the first tools that humans crafted with them being used for various purposes. The earliest tools were likely made using shark stones or bones and were used to puncture wood, hides and soft stone. The earliest evidence of drill tools dates to the Neolithic period around 10,000 BCE.

The Bow Drill

The bow drill represents one of the earliest and most significant advancements in drilling. Used by both the ancient Egyptians and Mesopotamians. It consists of a shaft with a sharp stone at one end, a bow and a string. Moving the bow back and forth would rotate the shaft allowing it to create holes in materials as well as start fires. As discovered in archaeological findings the bow drill also played a role in early forms of dentistry.

The Pump Drill

Further advancing upon the bow drill was the pump drill. Used in Ancient Greece and Anicent Rome this tool was used for applications such as jewellery making and metalworking as well as carrying over the bow drills use of creating fire and drilling into wood but it was far more precise being predominantly used for smaller hole. It featured a spindle attached to a disc, with strings connecting them to a horizontal bar. The user would pump the bar up and down causing the spindle to rotate, making the drilling process far more efficient than its predecessor the bow drill.

Ancient Innovations: The Auger & Beyond

Drilling technologies continued to advance with civilizations. The auger represented such an advancement. A tool designed to drill holes in wood, its earliest forms dated back to 1500 BCE. It consisted of metal rods with a spiral groove and a T shaped handle that facilitates the removal of wood shavings. The tool was twisted into the material to create holes, with further practical uses in agriculture.

Greek & Roman Contributions

The Greeks and Romans contributed further to the advancements of drilling. Archimedes is credited with the invention of the Archimedes screw, a similar device to the Auger but primarily used in the transportation of water. The romans too had made their own augers using them for construction and metalworking. These tools were very sophisticated, reflecting the increasing ability of craftsmanship within humanity and its progression in the development of drill bits.

Chinese Innovations

On the other side of the globe the ancient Chinese civilisations were making their own advancements in drill bit technology. In around 200 BCE, Chinese artists had developed their own advanced drill bits and augers. Using these tools for woodworking, masonry and medical works. More importantly however the Chinese also pioneered deep drilling, drilling well over 1,000 feet deep for the purpose of extracting brine which is was used for the salt production industry.

Medieval & Renaissance Advancements

Moving onto the medieval period further improvements in drilling tools and drill bits took place, this was largely driven by advancements in both blacksmithing and metallurgy. By this time blacksmiths were producing stronger and stronger metal bits that were more durable and able to penetrate harder materials. The cross like T-handled auger allowed for more torque, became common among woodworkers.

Medieval Blacksmithing

Throughout medieval Europe blacksmiths redefined the production of metal drill bits, creating tools that were far more capable for producing precise work. These were implements in many applications and industries including the constructions of building and ships all the way to making intricate metalwork projects. These sharper and more durable bits marked the biggest step yet in drill bit technology compared to the very early primitive tools of the classical era.

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