The History of Fasteners

As a new year begins, the world of advanced computing and smart technology continues to rise in everything we do (including in the manufacturing sector). However, as we are distracted by the new bells and whistles, we sometimes forget what fundamentals our products and materials need to have to work effectively. 

To better understand how fasteners continue to shape modern manufacturing, we explore their evolution from early origins through to today’s advanced applications and future innovations.

Archaeologists found that Egyptians would use their version of rivets to fix in place materials for weapons and tools like spears, blades and handles for pots.  Their technique was to hammer metal into pre-drilled holes and then deform the ends, giving the rivet the name of one of the oldest fastener types.

The use of wedge and peg-fastening, used from materials such as wood and soft metals, began to be used to secure things such as timber beams, spokes and hubs (for early wheels) and boats. The civilisation of Egypt, Mesopotamia and the East Mediterranean would rely on these by rolling on the friction of the two materials holding them together.

The use of iron was large enough to lead to the development of both forged nails and spikes across Europe, the Mediterranean and the Roman world. Used to hold things such as flooring, roofing structures and doors together, these components were driven directly into materials before drilling holes beforehand, meaning the grip held together stronger and gave more versatility than rivets or wedges for that time.

The medieval and early modern European metalworking techniques started to improve a lot, creating the threaded fasteners for things such as armour, clocks, scientific instruments and early machinery. The issue was that they were made by hand, meaning they were limited in use and expensive.

Fasteners become mass-produced with the use of machines to improve reliability and consistency. The use of high-strength materials and protective coatings allows them to withstand demanding environments. The need for fasteners in a high vibration environment, such as automotive and aerospace, rises, and the use of rivets and their lightweight assembly and long-term durability is more sought after for more permanent joints.

Fasteners have come a long way from being just some peg in a pre-drilled hole, and the demand for durable fasteners has consistently risen as modern tech and engineering continue to improve. However, the fundamentals of being a durable link between two materials still need to take priority over anything else.

At Clevedon Fasteners, we ensure that our clients have both the historical foundation and the cutting-edge materials to ensure your projects withstand the most demanding environments. Contact us today and allow us to provide you with high-quality solutions tailored to your specific needs. 

Don’t leave your assembly to chance, partner with the experts in durability. Browse our durable products, or contact us for more information.