In the manuscript of 1475, the German "History of Paula's Firearms" included a manuscript, recording and drawing the earliest Matchlock in detail. Its gun mechanism is fixed to the gun frame with two slotted screws. The reason for using screws is to deal with the vibration generated by the continuous detonation of gunpowder on the barrel, and to prevent the gun from loosening from the gun frame.
Early screws were handmade. When making, first forge the nail embryo of the screw, and then use a hammer to knock out the nail head and circular nail body on the nail embryo; Then, use a saw to cut a groove on the nail, and then use a steel plate called a "die" screw to create the thread.
Due to the complex production process and high price, early screws were sold and not widely used. Until the mid-19th century, its application was limited to a few industries such as armor, firearms, and watch manufacturing.
Although the history of threads can be traced back to 400 BC, the most important development of modern bolt and screw technology has been achieved in the past 150 years, and experts have different opinions on the origins of insignificant nuts and bolts. According to Frederick E. Graves' article "Nuts and Bolts," the history of threaded bolts and matching nuts as fasteners can only be traced back to the 15th century. He came to this conclusion based on the screws first recorded in printed form in a book in the early 15th century.
However, Graves also acknowledged that although threaded bolts can be traced back to the 15th century, unthreaded bolts can be traced back to Roman times, when these bolts were used as "bolt doors, serving as the pivot and wedge bolts for opening and closing doors: bolts or screws have notches that can insert wedges into them, making them immovable." He also said that the Romans made the first screws out of bronze or even silver. Threads are handmade, or metal wires are wound around the screws and welded to form the threads.
According to research by bolt expert Bill Eccles, the history of threads is earlier. Archimedes discovered the spiral principle and used it to build water supply equipment. However, there are indications that the screw pump may have been born in Egypt, earlier than Archimedes. This equipment is made of wood and is used to irrigate the land and discharge sewage from the bottom of the cabin. Eccles wrote on his website: But many people believe that the thread around 400 BC was invented by the Greek philosopher Alcitas. Alcitas and Plato belong to the same era and are known as the founders of mechanics.
