Page 79 - SST Class 05

It is believed that copper was the first metal to have been discovered. A metal found in
the nature is mixed with impurities. Early Man observed different types of metals and
tried to mix them. This led to making of alloys . Copper was mixed with other metals

like tin, this alloy is called bronze. Bronze is stronger than copper, so the tools were
made from it. The period when tools were made from bronze is called the Bronze Age .
It was an important step towards the progress of civilization.
Iron was also discovered with the passage of time. Man found it harder and stronger,
so he started to make tools from it as it could be beaten to any shape. This was the

beginning of the Iron Age . Iron has proved to be the most important metal ever. It
continues to be used abundantly.

The earliest metal tools were raw and simple in nature, which man improved for
different purposes. Now, he made different types of axes, hammers, nails and other
things. He found different applications for these tools, like for cutting and joining
wood. These tools helped him do farming in a better manner. He made pick-axes,
scythes and shovels, and hatched them in wooden handles, to help him in different
farming operations.

Tools helped man save his time. Now he could produce more food than he needed,
still he had time for other tasks. Now, not all people needed to do farming work. This
was how other occupations started to come into being. He started to make different
tools to meet his other needs, like for weaving clothes, shaping wood etc. In this
process, different types of tools for carpenters, ironsmiths, weavers, potters etc., were

made. Man had now started to lead a more settled life.
Earlier man lived in caves or on trees, but now tools helped him clear forests, make
hutments and lead a family life. He was learning to use his resources more optimally.
For example, earlier he lit a fire in the open, now he made hearths which gave him

better heat with less wood. Thus, he created several facilities for himself. As there was
danger from wild animals, he planted trees around the huts for protection. He found
that animal skins were warm enough to ward off cold. Earlier man brought water from
rivers for his plants, but now he dug small canals from rivers to his fields. This helped
him do farming on a larger scale. He started making pots and pitchers to store water
and grains for his daily needs. He also learnt that heating these earthen pots made
them stronger and more durable.

Industrial Revolution

In the progress of civilization, man developed knowledge. To preserve it, he taught it
to his children who, in turn, further developed this knowledge. This was how
knowledge found newer applications in different fields.

As knowledge expanded, several new occupations came into being. New types of tools

The Machine Age 79