Tools, Technologies and
Inventions through the years
Grade 5 : Technology & Engineering
Conceptual Strand
Society benefits when engineers apply scientific discoveries to design materials and processes that develop into enabling
technologies.
Guiding Question
How do science concepts, engineering skills, and applications of technology improve the quality of life?
Grade Level Expectations
Checks for Understanding
GLE 0507.T/E.1 Describe how tools,
technology, and inventions help to answer
questions and solve problems.
GLE 0507.T/E.2 Recognize that new tools,
technology, and inventions are always being
developed.
GLE 0507.T/E.3 Identify appropriate materials,
tools, and machines that can extend or enhance
the ability to solve a specified problem.
GLE 0507.T/E.4 Recognize the connection
between scientific advances, new knowledge, and
the availability of new tools and technologies.
GLE 0507.T/E.5 Apply a creative design
strategy to solve a particular problem generated
by societal needs and wants.
0507.T/E.1 Explain how different
inventions and technologies impact people
and other living organisms.
0507.T/E.2 Design a tool or a process that
addresses an identified problem caused by
human activity.
0507.T/E.3 Determine criteria to evaluate
the effectiveness of a solution to a specified
problem.
0507.T/E.4 Evaluate an invention that
solves a problem and determine ways to
improve the design.
State Performance Indicators
SPI 0507.T/E.1 Select a tool, technology, or invention that was used to solve a human problem.
SPI 0507.T/E.2 Recognize the connection between a scientific advance and the development of
a new tool or technology.
History
The history of technology is the history of
the invention of tools and techniques.
These inventions have enabled people to
create and accomplish many new things.
Technological artifacts are products of a
society’s economy, a force for economic
growth, and a large part of everyday life.
Technological innovations affect, and are
affected by, a society's cultural traditions.
Why?
The invention of tools and techniques is
evidence of a society’s ability to solve
problems that were encountered in
every day life.
What is a tool?
A tool is a device or a piece of
equipment that typically provides a
mechanical advantage in accomplishing
a task or enables the accomplishment
of a task not otherwise possible. The
most basic tools are simple machines.
When particularly intended for domestic
use, a tool is often called a utensil.
Types of Tools
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Cutting tools, such as the knife, scissors
or an axe, are wedge-shaped
implements that produce a shearing
force along a narrow face.
Why do you think a knife is a necessary
tool? For example, if you were stranded
by yourself on a desert island,
would you want a knife? Why?
Discuss it…
Would you need a knife to make a
shelter?
Would you need a knife to help with
your food?
What other kinds of things would you be
able to do with a knife?
What would you do to improvise without
one?
Types of tools

Moving tools, move large and small things. All
these tools move items by some kind of force.
for example:
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Concentrating force tools (like the hammer moves a
nail, or the maul moves a wedge.) These operate by
applying physical compression to a surface. In the
case of the screwdriver, the force is sideways and
called torque.
Writing implements deliver a fluid to a surface via
compression to activate the ink cartridge.
Grabbing and twisting nuts and blots with pliers, a
glove, or a wrench
Inclined planes, wedges and pulleys help move large
items.
Discuss it…
Without tools that concentrate force
such as hammers or pliers, what chores
would be very difficult if not impossible?
Have you ever built anything with
wood? Did you use a hammer or
screwdriver?
Have you ever tried to remove a screw
or nail without a screwdriver or
hammer?
What do you think people did before
hammers? What problems did they
have?
Types of tools
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Guiding and measuring tools include the
ruler, set square, and straightedge.
When do you use these types of tools?
How do they help?
If you had only one piece of paper and
pen and had to draw a perfect square,
would you want a ruler? Why?
Types of tools

Shaping tools, such as moulds, jigs, trowels, caulk, and
concrete help us by making consistent and reliable
shapes that fit together well and are sturdy.
When do you use these types of tools? How do they
help?
Would you want to put a swimming pool in your backyard
without shaping tools? What kinds of problems would
you have?
Types of tools

Fastening tools, such as welders, rivet guns,
nail guns, glue guns, and glue help us by
fastening things together.
 When do you use tools like these? How do
they help you?
 Imagine driving a car that was put together
without any fastening tools…would you want
to? Why or why not?
Early Civilizations and tools
Many sociologists and anthropologists have created
social theories dealing with social and cultural
evolution. Some declare technological progress to be
the primary factor driving the development of human
civilization.
In other words, societies advance when their
technologies advance.
There were three main time periods or ages when
tools were the main technological development: The
Stone Age, The Bronze Age and the Iron Age.
The Stone Age
The first tool-makers!
This period of time is called the Stone
Age because these very early men
created tools from stone. The Stone
Age ran from about 2 million years
ago to about 10,000 years ago.
Why did they need tools?
Humans did not have strong claws to
help them fight. They could not out run
saber-toothed tigers or cave lions. Man
had to get smart to survive! At this
time, man began creating stone tools to
help live more comfortably, and to better
protect themselves against the many
carnivore (meat eating) animals of the
time.
How did they live during the
Stone Age?
They followed food sources, and set up camp as
needed. They sheltered under cliffs, whenever possible.
You might think they would look for caves to spend the
night, but caves quite often had dangerous occupants,
just as they do today. Although this group made stone
tools and weapons, these weapons were still pretty
basic. Their main diet was probably fruits, roots, nuts
and vegetables that they found growing wild.
Small groups banded together for protection and
efficiency. The size of the group depended upon the
amount of food available. Groups would disband and
move on, as food required.
Since they did not have fire-making skills, they had to
wait until they found something burning from natural
causes, set aflame, for example, from a lightening strike.
A campfire had to be carefully watched, because if the
fire went out, they did not know how to start it again. The
area around the campfire was probably used as a
sleeping area. A roaring campfire would keep most wild
animals away, as most are afraid of fire. When they
broke camp, they probably attempted to bring their fire
with them by carrying several lit branches, with which to
start a new campfire when they stopped again. If their
branches went out, they did without fire until they found
something burning somewhere.
200,000 years later…
Man learns to
make FIRE!!!
They were probably a bit
startled when they saw what
they had created, little knowing
that the invention of fire would
change life dramatically!
DISCUSS: How do you think
the ability to make fire
changed life?
What’s the big deal?
Why was the ability to able to make fire so important? As
man had already discovered, most animals were afraid
of fire, so a roaring campfire gave protection to the group
or tribe. They no longer had to shelter out of the wind,
unless they chose to do so. If their fire went out, they
could relight it. They could choose where they camped.
On a hot night, if they could find a relatively safe place, a
breeze might feel good. Control of fire made moving into
colder regions possible, as fire they could count on
would provide them with warmth. It also changed the
way they prepared food.
These people began to cook their food consistently.
Food that is cooked is more secure from disease and
much softer to eat. As a result, it would have been easier
for the young and the old to survive.
A collection of stone age tools:
Can you guess which tools were used for
what?
Discuss…
How do you think it happened that the first
stone tool was used or made? What problem
do you think someone may have had that
they solved with a stone tool?
What kinds of things could be done with the
help of stone tools that could not be done
before?
How could stone tools be made better?
The Bronze Age
The Stone Age developed into the Bronze Age after
radical changes in agricultural technology which
included:
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development of agriculture (people began to grow crops),
animal domestication (people began to raise animals),
and the adoption of permanent settlements (people began to
stay in one area).
During this period in the development of technology
is when metals were first used regularly in the
manufacture of tools and weapons.
Mining, smelting, and casting became
organized efforts.
Bronze Age Tools
Can you guess which tools were used for
what?
Discuss…
Why would bronze tools not be possible
to develop in a nomadic society?
What made bronze tools better than
stone tools?
What kinds of things could be done
easier with bronze tools than with stone
tools?
What could improve bronze tools?
The Iron Age
The Iron Age involved the adoption of iron
smelting technology. It generally replaced
bronze, and made it possible to produce tools
which were stronger and cheaper to make
than bronze equivalents. In many Eurasian
cultures, the Iron Age was the last major step
before the development of written language.
Also developed during the Iron Age was a
coin system.
Iron Age Tools
Can you guess which tools were used for
what?
Ancient civilizations
It was the growth of the ancient
civilizations which produced the greatest
advances in technology and engineering,
advances which stimulated other societies
to adopt new ways of living and
governance.
Let’s see what these ancient civilizations
came up with: Egypt, China, Greece, and
India.
Ancient Egyptians
The Egyptians invented and used many
simple machines, such as the ramp to aid
construction processes.
How did this allow them to build bigger
and better buildings?
Ancient Egyptians
They were among the first to extract
gold by large-scale mining using firesetting, and the first recognizable map.
Egyptian paper, made from papyrus,
and pottery was mass produced and
exported throughout the Mediterranean
basin.
India
India is notable for its early application of city planning
and sanitation technologies. Cites in the Indus Valley
offer some of the first examples of closed gutters, public
baths, and communal granaries.
India was also at the forefront of seafaring technology .
Ship construction is vividly described in an ancient Indian
text on Shipbuilding.
India, cont’d.
Indian construction and architecture suggests an
understanding of materials engineering, hydrology,
and sanitation.
Ancient Indian culture was also pioneering in its use
of vegetable dyes, cultivating plants including indigo
and cinnabar. Many of the dyes were used in art and
sculpture.
The use of perfumes demonstrates some knowledge
of chemistry, particularly distillation and purification
processes.
China
The Chinese made many first-known discoveries and
developments. Major technological contributions from
China include early seismological detectors,
matches, paper, the double-action piston pump, cast
iron, the iron plough, the wheelbarrow, the
suspension bridge, the parachute, natural gas as
fuel, the magnetic compass, the raised-relief map,
the propeller, the crossbow, and gun powder.
Other Chinese discoveries and inventions include:
the paddle wheel boat, block printing and movable
type, phosphorescent paint, chain drive,
the spinning wheel, and solid rocket fuel!
Greece
Greek engineers invented many technologies and improved
upon pre-existing technologies. They were unique in their ability
to combine scientific research with the development of new
technologies.
Heron of Alexandria invented a basic steam engine, watermill
and windmill.
Archimedes invented several machines. One example is the
Archimedean screw.
Other technologies invented by Greek scientists include the
ballistae, and primitive analog computers like the Antikythera
mechanism and the piston pump.
Greek architects were responsible for the first true domes, and
were the first to explore the Golden ratio and its relationship with
geometry and architecture.
Greece, cont‘d.
Other Greek inventions include torsion catapults,
pneumatic catapults, crossbows, cranes, organs, the
keyboard mechanism, gears, differential gears, screws,
refined parchment, showers, dry docks, diving bells,
odometer and astrolabes.
In architecture, Greek engineers constructed
monumental lighthouses and devised the first central
heating systems. The Tunnel of Eupalinos is the earliest
tunnel in history which has been excavated with a
scientific approach from both ends.
Automata like vending machines, automatic doors and
many other ingenious devices were first built by Greeks.
Moving into current times…
From ancient civilizations until now, there
have been many inventions, discoveries, and
development of technologies. Many different
cultures have had significant impacts upon
technological advances.
In current society, when man is faced with a
problem, he naturally searches for an answer.
If he can not find one, he will create one
using current knowledge.
What about you?
What problem or situation do you
encounter in your life for which you
would like a tool?
Work? (do laundry?)
Transportation? (beam me up?)
Sickness? (an apple a day?)
Play? (what responsibilities?)
? (what do you dream about?)
Write about it:
Second Paragraph:
Third Paragraph:
Describe the tool
you’ve created.
How does this tool “fix”
your problem?
Introductory Paragraph:
Fourth Paragraph:
How does this tool
change life as you know
it? For example, would
it be something lots of
people would want, or
just you?
What problem do you
encounter for which you’d
create a tool to fix?
Conclusion Paragraph:
Restate your problem
and solution. End with
an expression of your
feelings of how it would
be if you could really
do this.
Resources
http://earlyhumans.mrdonn.org/index.html
http://www.kidspast.com/world-history/0001-prehistoric-humans.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_technology