#1
#1 out of 211.2K est. views
technology1d ago
Why the Hell Do We Have Two Types of Screws, Anyway?
- The Cracked piece details why flat/slotted screws predominate before other designs emerged.
- Phillips screws became common in America because of licensing and automotive industry adoption.
- Robertson screws remain common in Canada and are praised for stability and self-centering design.
- The article recounts Henry Phillips’ role in developing the Phillips head screw.
- Ford’s desire to use Robertson screws created a clash that helped Phillips gain traction in the U.S.
- The piece frames the evolution as a reflection of broader manufacturing and efficiency concerns.
- The article notes the historic slotted screw as simple yet problematic in use.
- Phillips head became the dominant American screw design due to licensing and automotive industry needs.
- Robertson screws, though praised, did not win over Ford due to licensing and control issues.
- The Cracked article emphasizes a practical takeaway: two screw types persist due to historical and economic forces.
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