The first slot of fasteners that mankind invented was flat. Today, such a screwdriver, along with a Phillips one, is in almost every home. The slot has been used since at least the 15th century. However, there are many others. For example, a square Canadian slot. Why is this needed at all and why many of those who have already tried it say that it is the best in the world.
In fact, there are a huge variety of fastener slots. The need for additional varieties appeared in the 19th century against the backdrop of the industrial revolution. Then it turned out that slotted hardware is not very well suited for a variety of machines. The development of aviation at the beginning of the 20th century also added fuel to the fire. It turned out that the "direct" is generally not suitable for creating reliable connections in complex technology. Between the 1860s and 1910s, engineers in Europe and the United States went on a rampage and began to invent new types of fasteners.
In 1909, Canadian enthusiastic designer Peter Robertson, in just 2 hours of brainstorming, created the newest "non-slip" screwdriver slot, giving it the shape of a square. Robertson received a patent for his invention, but it never came to mass production. There is an amusing fable that Henry Ford wanted to buy the rights to Robertson's square slot, but two the designers did not agree on either the price or the opinions, after which Ford did everything so that the square slot would not be seen light! But in fact it is nothing more than a legend.
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The reason why the square slot did not become widespread at the beginning of the last century is simple and pragmatic. It was too difficult and expensive to produce such hardware at the then level of technology development. Therefore, all American industrialists solemnly shook hands with Robertson, praised him for his ingenuity and asked him to come back in 100 years or so. Today the situation is changing. Technology allows you to easily make fasteners with such a slot. In addition, the patent for the invention of the Canadian has already expired, so the square slot is copied by everyone who is not too lazy. Today it is best known under the designation Scrulox.
In fact, the Canadian thing is quite highly specialized. For the most part, square slot screws are only suitable for relatively soft materials such as wood. At the same time, an important advantage of Robertson's creation is that the "squares" always hold well on the tip of a screwdriver. This, in turn, allows you to work with them even with one hand.
If you want to know even more interesting things, then you should read about 5 features of conventional screwdrivers, which many do not take into account when buying, but in vain.
A source: https://novate.ru/blogs/111221/61425/