A Yankee screwdriver is a specialized tool that combines a ratchet mechanism with a screwdriver, so pushing down on the handle spins the bit without the user having to keep turning it by hand. The term is a generic trademark; these tools are also known as spiral ratchet screwdrivers. It was first marketed by the North Brothers Manufacturing Company in 1895 and has been owned by Stanley Tools since the 1940s. This entity is distinct from the standing ruling-713 scope question over the plain, generic Screwdriver, which remains unminted and queued alongside Wrench.
Facts
Introduced When (Circa)First marketed in 1895 by the North Brothers Manufacturing Company; Stanley Tools has owned the brand since the 1940s. 1 OriginThe underlying spiral ratchet mechanism predates the Yankee brand: the source traces the first patented spiral push drill or similar spiral screwdriver to an 1868 Allard patent, apparently never produced in quantity, with the earliest version actually sold in numbers being the F. A. Howard patent from the early 1870s. 1 Introduced era (class) Connections
Associated With
A spiral ratchet mechanism combined with a screwdriver bit chuck; a specialized combination tool rather than a plain screwdriver.
Source Yankee Screwdriver (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases
Sources
1. Yankee Screwdriver (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationLead section, first paragraph
It was first marketed by North Brothers Manufacturing Company in 1895, but has been owned by Stanley Tools since the 1940s.
Other companies section, opening sentence
The first patented spiral push drill or similar spiral screwdriver dates back to 1868 known as the Allard's patent, but since we have never been able to find one in existence, we assume that the 1868 patent was never manufactured in quantity.
Associated With: Screwdriver, Lead section, first sentence
A Yankee screwdriver is a specialized tool that combines a ratchet and a screwdriver.
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