Essential Woodworking Tools, Techniques, and Products Created By POC
As Schneller&co. continues to create quality woodworking projects. The company wishes to acknowledge the incredible history of woodworking created by people of color over time. Here are some essential woodworking tools, techniques, and products created by people of color without further ado…
Ancient Egyptians
Ancient Egyptians have used woodworking as a significant part of their culture throughout their time. Quite a few of their techniques that are still used today, modernized for better use. For woodworking, Ancient Egyptians used mortise and tenon joints to support their buildings along with pegs, dowels, and leather to help further strengthen the joints. During around 1570 B.C., Egyptians implemented animal glue to secure their projects better. Tools created and used by the Egyptians were pull saws, bow saws, chisels, and axes to develop their infrastructure. They also invented the art of veneering, cutting wood into thin sheets, and gluing them together covering or décor. Lastly, Ancient Egyptians were the first people to use varnish, coating their woodwork as a finish.
2. Early Japanese
The Japanese woodworkers were the first to make high-carbon steel tools to improve their work and create tight-fitting joints very well known for them at the time. Fitting joints were the Japanese's primary use for any support rather than nails or glue; this type of woodworking was then originated.
3. Ancient China
Ancient China is known for its incredible innovations that are still used today that are essential to everyday life and woodworking today. The Ancient Chinese were the first to create paper, crafted the boat rudder, wheelbarrows, wooden matches, a clear coat finish called lacquer, and the first version of a calculator called an abacus.
4. Benjamin Banneker - African-American
November 9, 1731-October 9, 1806. Benjamin Banneker was born in Baltimore County, Maryland, by a free African-American woman and a former slave, their names being Robert Bannaky and Mary Bannaky. As Benjamin grew up, he learned how to read and write through his grandmother and became an almanac author, surveyor, landowner, and farmer. Benjamin Banneker's most significant accomplishment was inventing a wooden clock made entirely out of indigenous America parts, which is believed to be the first clock built in America.
5. Graciela V. O. de Cuadros - Ecuadorian
In 1980 and 1991, Ecuadorian inventor, Graciela V. O. de Cuadros was granted a United States patent for her wooden, collapsible hammock support design. A woodworking design now spread across the globe, allowing for a free, relaxation session.
6. Sarah E. Goode - African-American
1855-April 8, 1905. Sarah E. Goode was born in Toledo, Ohio, by Oliver and Harriet Jacobs, the second of seven children. Sarah was born into a life of slavery until the end of the civil war. After being freed, Sarah E. Goode was an inventor and entrepreneur, as well as the first African-American woman ever to receive a United States patent in 1885. Goode received her patent for her folding cabinet bed invention to utilize housing space efficiently.
“Fine things in wood are important, not only aesthetically, as oddities or rarities, but because we are becoming aware of the fact that much of our life is spent buying and discarding, and buying again, things that are not good. Some of us long to have at least something, somewhere, which will give us harmony and a sense of durability—I won’t say permanence, but durability—things that, through the years, become more and more beautiful, things we can leave to our children.”
From the Stone Ages to modern-day 2020, woodworking has been a significant part of society and culture. Woodworking is not only a beautiful decor for your house or the frame of a building but a form of expression and the start of civilization itself. We at Schneller&co. hope you enjoyed a glimpse of woodworking history molded by people and groups of color. Stay safe, wash your hands, and buy Schneller&co. products!!
