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They were first made of simple stone. Perhaps the first example of a wedge is the hand axe (see also Olorgesailie), which is made by chipping stone, generally flint, to form a bifacial edge, or wedge. A wedge is a simple machine that transforms lateral force and movement of the tool into a transverse splitting force and movement of the workpiece.
A simple machine is a mechanical device that changes the direction or magnitude of a force. [1] In general, they can be defined as the simplest mechanisms that use mechanical advantage (also called leverage) to multiply force. [2] Usually the term refers to the six classical simple machines that were defined by Renaissance scientists: [3] [4 ...
Two other simple machines are often considered to be derived from the inclined plane. [9] The wedge can be considered a moving inclined plane or two inclined planes connected at the base. [5] The screw consists of a narrow inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder. [5]
The hand axe is the first example of a wedge, the oldest of the six classic simple machines, from which most machines are based. The second oldest simple machine was the inclined plane (ramp), [6] which has been used since prehistoric times to move heavy objects. [7] [8] The other four simple machines were invented in the ancient Near East. [9]
The earliest examples of handled axes have heads of stone with some form of wooden handle attached in a method to suit the available materials and use. Axes made of copper, bronze, iron and steel appeared as these technologies developed. The axe is an example of a simple machine, as it is a type of wedge, or dual inclined plane. This reduces ...
A Rube Goldberg machine, named after American cartoonist Rube Goldberg, is a chain reaction–type machine or contraption intentionally designed to perform a simple task in an indirect and (impractically) overly complicated way. Usually, these machines consist of a series of simple unrelated devices; the action of each triggers the initiation ...
The screw, the last of the simple machines to be invented, [9] first appeared in Mesopotamia during the Neo-Assyrian period (911-609) BC. [10] The Egyptian pyramids were built using three of the six simple machines, the inclined plane, the wedge, and the lever, to create structures like the Great Pyramid of Giza. [11]
Simple machine – There are only 3 fundamental machines, with 4 variations, for a total of 7 simple machines Lever; Inclined Plane. Screw – combination of a wheel and an inclined plane; Wedge; Wheel. Pulley; Gear – combination of a wheel and a lever; Vehicles. Man powered vehicles Bicycle; Pedalo; Powered vehicles Car; Train; Airplane ...