Who invented the robertson screwdriver? (2023)

Who invented the robertson screwdriver?

Invention. P. L. Robertson invented the Robertson screw and screwdriver in 1906 and received the Canadian patent in 1907 (CA103387, U.S. Patent CA103387A) and US patent 1911 (U.S. Patent 1,003,657) for a manufacturing machine.

Where did the Robertson screwdriver come from?

The Robertson screwdriver, also known as a square screwdriver, was invented in 1908 by P.L. Robertson, a native Canadian.

Why are there no Robertson screws in America?

Most historians attribute its lack of popularity in the United States to Henry Ford. Having been nearly bankrupted by shady European licensees, Robertson refused to license his invention to Ford. Without a guaranteed supply, Ford turned to the Phillips-head screw, cementing its reign in American industry.

Who invented Robinson screwdriver?

The solution was found by a 27-year old Canadian, Peter L. Robertson. He was a pitchman for a Philadelphia tool company, a traveling salesman who sold goods at trade fairs and on street corners throughout eastern Canada. He spent his spare time in his workshop.

When was the Robertson screw head invented?

Robertson Inc. was awarded its first patent for an industry-changing square head screw on February 2, 1909.

What is the point of a Robertson screw?

The socket-headed Robertson screws are self-centering and reduce cam out. They also stop a power tool when set, and can be more easily removed if painted over, or old and rusty. In industry, they speed up production and reduce product damage.

What is the oldest screwdriver?

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).

What is the strongest screw in the world?

The strongest screw heads are typically star-shaped, Torx bits, or square-shaped, Roberts bits. However, a well-fitted Philips head is also strong. Keep in mind that it comes down to more than the type of screw head, it's also the materials used to make the screw as well as the fit of the drill bit.

Which is better Philips or Robertson?

So, if you are in a hurry to screw something together, you'll likely grab Phillips screws over Roberston ones. However, this doesn't mean they are a better choice. If you will be using a lot of screws over a short period of time, the Roberston screw is probably your better choice.

Is Robertson better than Torx?

Torx screws handle more torque, with less cam-out, than Robertson, especially at smaller sizes. And that difference is significant in practice. It's the reason it was named “Torx” in the first place.

Who made Yankee screwdriver?

The term "Yankee screwdriver" is often used to describe push/pull type screwdriver other than one manufactured by North Brothers Mfg. Co. or Stanley Tools, who purchased the rights to the well-known Yankee brand or trade name in the 1940s from North Brothers.

Why is a cross head screwdriver called a Phillips?

Henry Frank Phillips (June 4, 1889 – April 13, 1958) was an American businessman from Portland, Oregon. The Phillips-head ("crosshead") screw and screwdriver are named after him.

When did they stop using flat head screws in furniture?

Screws were all handmade and hand cut. Screws began to be machine made on about the 1830's. Originally screws were flat bottomed until it was realized that a pointed screw was better, just like our modern screws. After about 1850, all screws have been basically the same through today.

Why do electricians use Robertson screws?

Robertson screws are advertised to be able to handle more torque before the dreaded cam out. The square design also allows for self-centering of the driver bit. You get a nice snug fit and ultimately less struggle. They are easier to use one-handed as well with such a design.

What is the most common Robertson screw?

Robertson sizes are denoted with colours instead of numbers. The medium-size that's most common is red; anyone who calls this a "#2 Robertson" deserves arched eyebrows and a thorough looking-down-on. Black is the largest size, with green being smaller; yellow and orange are smaller still but much less common.

Why do Phillips head screws still exist?

They are less prone to damage and stripping, as the Phillips screws cam out when excess torque is applied. They don't allow the screwdriver to slip out sideways and injure the operator.

What is a number 8 Robertson screw?

#8 Robertson Lo-Root Wood Screw

Aster® Thread Feature is now standard on all Lo-Root® screws with a serrated tooth thread design, providing quicker starting, reduced splitting and less drive torque. Aster® serrated teeth on all Lo-Root Deep Threads provide greatest holding strength in soft woods and particle boards.

What is the difference between Allen and Robertson screw?

Hex socket screws require an Allen wrench, while hex screws are entirely hexagonal without an indent for a tool, meaning it needs a wrench or socket wrench. Square indentations are also known as Robertson screw heads and require a special driving tool.

What is the most used screwdriver?

Flathead Screwdriver

The slot or flat-headed screwdriver is probably the most common form of hand tool. It has a flattened tip used for screws with a straight linear intrusion across the head. Flat blade screwdrivers are multi-purpose and can typically be used for a range of applications.

What is a #1 screwdriver?

The Phillips #1 screw is the most commonly used fastener in the internals of "larger" electronics like home theater hardware, game consoles, laptops, PCs, and server racks. This particular size of Phillips screwdriver blade is also known as Phillips 1, PH 1, and PH #1.

What is the hardest bolt to break?

Grade 8 is the hardest, Grade 5 is medium, and Grade 2 is the softest. This is the most common grade of steel fastener and is the least expensive. Grade 2 bolts have no head marking, although sometimes a manufacturer's mark is present. This grade of bolt is made from low or medium carbon steel.

What is the longest screw ever made?

The biggest bolt ever made was in 1967 by the Penrith Engineering Works company in Scotland. They were enormous - 27.4' long (8.3m), 4.2' diameter (1.27m), weighing 12.6 tonnes.

What screws don't break?

Multi-purpose (production) screws

Common brands include Spax or GRK. These screws are made with hardened steel and are incredibly strong. I don't think I've ever had any break. They have self-drilling points that eliminate the need for a pilot hole, but I would still pre-drill for critical pieces.

Why does Canada use Robertson?

History. The Robertson screw was invented in a small Canadian town by P.L. Robertson. Robertson Manufacturing Company started in 1907, and by 1908 they were open for business. Their company history highlights that in 1908, Ford ordered enormous quantities of Robertson screws to be used in Model T production.

Why use Torx head screws?

Torx screws are typically used in vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, computer systems, hard disk drives and consumer electronics. The unusual star-shaped head makes them far more secure than regular flat-head or cross-head screws and allows higher torque transmission so screws and bolts can be tightened more securely.

What is a pozidriv screwdriver?

Pozidriv fasteners are a type of socket that's used to drive screws that transmits more torque than Phillips screws. Pozidriv screws are externally threaded fasteners with torquing heads, which feature a cruciform socket with radial indentations that are set at 45 degrees from the main cross.

What are other names for Robertson screwdrivers?

A Robertson screw, also known as a square or Scrulox screw drive, is specified as ANSI Type III Square Center and has a square-shaped socket in the screw head and a square protrusion on the tool. Both the tool and the socket have a slight taper.

What are 4 different sizes of Robertson screwdrivers?

Robertson Screwdriver

Robertson screwdrivers come primarily in four sizes: #0, #1, #2 and #3. You're most likely to need a #2, followed by #1 and #3. Klein Tools' #2 Square-Recess Screwdriver offers the same features as Klein's fine Phillips screwdriver.

What is the strongest flat head screw?

17-4 PH flat head screws are made from a precipitation hardened stainless steel most known for its exceptional strength and its ability to maintain its mechanical properties to 600°F.

What screw did Apple invent?

Pentalobe screws were adopted by Apple starting in 2009, when they were first implemented in the 15-inch MacBook Pro. They have since been used on other MacBook Pro, MacBook Air and iPhone models.

What screwdriver do electricians use?

An electrician screwdriver functions the exact same way that any regular screwdriver would, in that it is used to install or loosen screws. The difference between the two is that, on an electrician's screwdriver, the handle and shaft are insulated to protect the user from any possible electric shock.

Are Williams screwdrivers made in USA?

#2 Phillips® ENDUROGRIP™ Stubby Round Shank Screwdriver Without Hex Bolster - 1-1/2" Blade Length, 3-1/2" Overall Length. Williams® USA # JHWSDP-2-ST. Made in U.S.A.

What is the real name for a flat head screwdriver?

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.

Is Pozidriv the same as Phillips?

Phillips screwdrivers can be used for Pozidriv screws, but they do exhibit some play. Pozidriv screwdrivers, on the other hand, cannot be used for Phillips screws. The conical screwdriver shows play in the parallel screw. The parallel form prevents ejection forces.

Who invented the first screwdriver?

In 1760, two English brothers, Job and William Wyatt patented a screw making machine that used a file to cut in the threads – following the pitch of a lead screw.

Why do they still make slotted screws?

That is, it's easy for your screwdriver or drill to slip when driving a slotted screw. For that reason, slotted screws are still commonly used — but they're generally on the decline, especially for contractors and others who need to drive many screws as quickly as possible.

When did furniture makers stop using square nuts?

They were made individually by blacksmiths. Square-head nails were made from the late 1700s until about 1830. Most were machine-cut and finished off by a blacksmith who squared the heads. From 1830 to 1890, cabinetmakers used headless, machine-cut nails that are a tapered, rectangular shape.

Why do electricians leave screws vertical?

Electricians leave screws vertical for the simple fact that it looks professional and pleasing to the eye. It can also be used as a good method to ensure that the screws are not overtightened.

What is a #2 Robertson?

Product Number T68512. 2 piece, industrial grade, hardened tool steel tips. Hardened tool steel tips manufactured in Canada.

What is the difference between Robertson head and square head?

Although the terms "square drive" and "Robertson" are often treated as the same in catalogs, the difference (as I understand it) is that Robertson tools and screws have a slight taper to the square recess and the square drive ones do not. Most online sources claim that the tapered design is superior.

Can you get Robertson screws in the USA?

The Robertson, or square-drive screw, which only recently gained acceptance in the United States, has been favored in Canada for decades. Inventor Peter Lymburner Robertson came up with the idea in 1908 after cutting his hand with a slotted screwdriver.

What is the strongest screw design?

A lag screw is the strongest in the family of wood screws. It is a sturdy and durable fastener often designed with an externally driven hex drive or square head. Lag screws feature a tapered point and coarse threads and are typically tougher and much heavier than conventional wood screws.

What is the most used screw type?

#1) Wood Screw

Perhaps the single most common type of screw is a wood screw. Wood screws aren't made of actual wood. Rather, they are used to connect two or more solid wooden objects. Wood screws have a sharp point that's able to dig into wood, making them highly useful for woodworking applications.

Why isn't every screw a flat head?

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 are flat heads still used?

The advantage is that little or no part of the head protrudes beyond the surface of the material to give the finished work a flush, clean look. The countersunk design of the flat heads is great for applications where dust and dirt can accumulate on the surface.

When did Fender switch to Phillips head screws?

The original Fender Broadcaster and Nocaster guitars were held together with flat or slot head screws, but in 1951 Leo decided to move away from these and start using Phillips head screws, this lead to a transition period where both were used, and by the end of 1953 Fender were totally in the realm of the Phillips head ...

What is the origin of screwdriver cocktail?

The drink originated during World War II, when Americans in China and Turkey mixed neutral spirits with orange juice. The origin of the name "screwdriver" is less clear, but the name appeared in Ankara, Turkey, in 1943 and 1944 and later in Istanbul.

Who invented the square head screw?

Most of us call Robertson screws “square drive” or “socket head” screws. They were invented by Canadian traveling salesman Peter Robertson around 1906.

What is the history of square drive screws?

This Square Drive Recess was invented by P.L. Robertson (founder of Robertson, Inc.) in 1908 and was the first production fastener with an internal recess. He was a brilliant toolmaker that injured his hand while driving a slotted screw and started developing a better recess.

What is the meaning of Robertson screwdriver?

Noun. Robertson screwdriver (plural Robertson screwdrivers) (chiefly Canada) A type of screwdriver having a square tip, designed to drive a Robertson screw.

Who invented the screwdriver drink?

The Harvey Wallbanger is reported to have been invented in 1952 by three-time world champion mixologist Donato 'Duke' Antone (Paolantonio), the brother-in-law of New York state Senator Carlo Lanzillotti. Add all the vodka and orange juice to a highball glass with ice and stir.

Did New Orleans invent the cocktail?

Still, New Orleans can claim to have invented one particular type of cocktail, the Sazerac, which uses Peychaud's bitters. It was the house specialty at a bar called the Sazerac Coffeehouse (later the Roosevelt Hotel, and then the Fairmont) which used only Sazerac-brand cognac.

What cocktail was invented in Pittsburgh?

Most cocktail historians credit New York City and Los Angeles with disseminating drinks to cities located in the inner part of the country. But the discovery of the Fussfungle, which originated in McKeesport, flipped that notion on its head.

What is the difference between square head and Robertson?

Although the terms "square drive" and "Robertson" are often treated as the same in catalogs, the difference (as I understand it) is that Robertson tools and screws have a slight taper to the square recess and the square drive ones do not. Most online sources claim that the tapered design is superior.

What is the difference between Phillips and Robertson screwdriver?

Phillips heads have a cross-shaped tool indent. Hex socket screws require an Allen wrench, while hex screws are entirely hexagonal without an indent for a tool, meaning it needs a wrench or socket wrench. Square indentations are also known as Robertson screw heads and require a special driving tool.

Who invented the Chicago screw?

Chicago Screws were invented back in 1872 when the Chicago Screw Company first established its business. Simple enough the name was conceptualized with its manufacturer “Chicago Screw”.

What is the largest Robertson screwdriver?

Robertson sizes are denoted with colours instead of numbers. The medium-size that's most common is red; anyone who calls this a "#2 Robertson" deserves arched eyebrows and a thorough looking-down-on. Black is the largest size, with green being smaller; yellow and orange are smaller still but much less common.