Throughout history there have been a few great inventions that have grown our society immensely—the wheel, the compass, penicillin, the lightbulb, and tools. Amongst the most important tools is the common staple that you must have in your home—the screwdriver. In this article we’re going to give you a concise rundown of the history of the screwdriver.

The Screw

Before we talk about the screwdriver, we need to talk about its counterpart—the screw. The screw was invented around 400 BC in Greece, and was commonly used to extract grape juice and olive oil. 

First Screwdriver

The first screwdriver was invented in either Germany or France in the 15th century, and was a flathead screwdriver. This followed the standardization of flathead screws during a widespread increase in production. This invention would eventually grow into the most essential household tool in every home across the planet.

Robertson Screwdriver

P.L. Robertson invented the Robertson Screwdriver in 1908—a square shaped screwdriver that completely reinvented how screwdrivers were produced. It eliminated the problem of flathead screwdrivers that slipped all too often, and created a more reliable method that would eventually be adopted by Ford Motor Company at scale.

Hex Screwdriver/Allen Key

In 1909, W.G. Allen invented the Allen key which was a safety upgrade over screw fasteners that dangerously protruded from machinery. These Allen keys are still commonly used today to assemble flat-box furniture.

Phillips Screwdriver

P.L. Robertson lost the right to his invention, and in 1932 Henry Phillips bought it and redesigned it to be shaped like a cross for greater torque and the ability to screw things tighter. This Phillips screwdriver is still used today and is a household term amongst all English-speaking nations. This screwdriver was designed for mass production, and was a big success amongst builders around the globe.

Torx Screwdriver

The Torx screwdriver was invented by Camcar Textron in 1967, and has 6 lobes that increase contact surface for greater torque and less slippage. This reduced wear on both screws and screwdrivers, and became a mainstay of the automotive industry for years to come.

Electric Screwdriver

Electric screwdrivers were invented in the mid-1900s but became commonplace in the 1970s. These convenient tools improved efficiency in the manufacturing and construction sectors, and became coveted must-haves in homes for DIY projects. Power tools are still used today throughout most industries and drive efficient building and production.

Multi-Bit Screwdriver Set

The multi-bit screwdriver set was invented in the 1980s and allowed users to satisfy all of their screwdriver needs with one simple purchase. Whether it be a Phillips head screwdriver, a flathead screwdriver, a Torx screwdriver, a magnetic tip screwdriver, a precision screwdriver, etc., a screwdriver set has you covered.

UF Tools’ Compact 46-in-1 Screwdriver Set

While the history of screwdrivers has been robust, it is still being written. New screwdriver inventions happen all the time to make our lives and jobs more efficient. Check out our blog for more helpful tips on screwdrivers and other tools.