When were screws invented? A brief history lesson

We all know how useful screws are in the modern age; from screwing in cupboards to manufacturing cars and building infrastructure, they’re used in almost every trade and at home. 

Screws have come a long way from ancient olive presses in the Mediterranean to modern drill-driven fixings. But when exactly were they invented? And what inspired their design?

If you’ve ever wondered how this small but mighty fixing came to be, then we’re here to give you a quick history lesson.

And, of course, if reading this inspires you to stock up on the right screws for your next project, you’re already in the right place. We offer a wide range of screws, bolts, nuts, and more to browse for your next DIY project or construction need.

The earliest origins – ancient civilisations (c. 400 BCE–1st century CE)

Picture this: 2000 years ago, our ancestors were problem-solving ways to hold together their latest inventions. 

It’s 400BC, and Greek philosopher and mathematician Archytas of Tarentum spends hours developing his theories. He unknowingly discovers the groundwork for what would later become one of the most important tools in human construction: the concept of the screw thread.

A century later, another Greek figure, Archimedes, builds upon this groundwork to invent the Archimedes Screw. This is a helical surface wrapped around a central shaft used to lift water from low-lying areas. While many mistake him for being the inventor of the screw, he merely put things in motion with the principle of the spiral thread. 

Meanwhile, early screw mechanisms made from wood were used in large-scale press machines in wine and oil production across ancient Greece, Egypt and Rome. It was used for everything, from textiles to agriculture, leading people to already understand its importance early on.

Metal screws appear – Renaissance to early modern (15th–18th century)

So, we have people starting to use wooden screws in daily life until they realise wood isn’t strong enough for certain applications. 

The Renaissance in the 15th century saw a creative and technological surge, with workshops and blacksmith forges starting to experiment with metal screws. These were used to hold small objects together, handcrafted by skilled metalworkers and armourers.

Slow and tedious, the process involved cutting individual threads by hand, often using a file.

By the mid-18th century, Britain was on the verge of the Industrial Revolution. In 1760, brothers Job and William Wyatt of Staffordshire invented a screw-cutting machine that used a leadscrew to guide a cutter, allowing thread forms to be produced consistently and mechanically.

Meanwhile, Jesse Ramsden, a British instrument maker, developed one of the first accurate screw-cutting lathes. His design utilised a leadscrew and a slide rest to guide a cutting tool along a metal workpiece, resulting in the creation of standardised screws.

Industrial Revolution and mass production (Late 18th–19th century)

Between the late 1700s and 1800s, advances in machinery and manufacturing continued to grow and expand. 

After Jesse Ramsden set the wheels in motion with his precision screw lathe in the 1770s, Henry Maudslay brought screw-making into the industrial age. This British engineer created a new screw-cutting lathe that provided better precision, reliably producing standardised threads using a leadscrew and slide rest. 

His game-changing invention made it possible to mass-produce uniform screws. Henry ensured that parts could be assembled or replaced without requiring custom-fitting for each one, laying the foundation for modern engineering and factory systems as we know them today.

But that’s not all! If we fast forward to the 1840s, we’ll see Joseph Whitworth introducing the world's first standard screw thread system. This system clearly defines different thread angles and pitches, allowing nuts, bolts, and screws to be used interchangeably across various industries. 

These threads became popular for railways, engines, bridges, and early industrial machinery (which are still used to this day). Then, in the 19th century, the Nettlefolds screw works in Smethwick introduced screw heads that we still use today: slotted, round head, and countersunk.

20th century – drive innovations

By the early 20th century, many inventors realised one issue kept arising: cam-out. That led Canadian inventor P.L. Robertson to design the square-drive screw in 1908, offering less slippage, reduced wear, and quicker installation. 

The square driver screw quickly gained popularity in Canada when Henry Ford incorporated them into his Model T production lines for a brief period. After this, Henry F. Phillips, an American engineer, introduced the Phillips cross-head screw in 1934. 

With the drive to beat cam-out once and for all at high torque, it became a staple in the car manufacturing industry, gaining popularity in the US and the UK. It quickly became one of the most widely used screws across the globe!

Then, the Pozidriv screw came along in the UK in the 1960s, designed by GKN Screws and Fasteners. This design was created with the aim of surpassing the Phillips head screw, featuring lines between the main cross slots to facilitate better torque transfer, reduced cam-out, and longer bit life.

The majority of screwdrivers and bits available in the UK today work with both Phillips and Pozidriv; however, Pozidriv is always superior for tasks requiring a tighter grip.

Find reliable screws for your project today

So there we have it! The manufacturing of the screw hasn’t had a quick or easy journey, but each step and new invention has led us to the robust screws we use today. 

At Efixings, we know what it takes to make a screw long-lasting, durable, and reliable. That’s why we sell screws and fixings that offer excellent performance, come wind, rain, or shine. 

With a choice between various popular screw heads, threads, and specialised coatings, you’re bound to find exactly what you need for your project at a great price.