An anvil is a basic tool, in the simplest terms it is a block with a hard surface on which another object is struck. The inertia of the anvil allows the energy of the striking tool to be transferred to the work piece.

Anvil Tool

An anvil is a basic tool, in the simplest terms it is a block with a hard surface on which another object…

"From one end of a scale-beam, suspend a cylindrical metal bucket, b, with a solid cylinder, a, that fits accurately into it hanging below. Conterpoise with weights (shot or sand) in the opposite scale-pan. Immerse a in water, and the counterpoise will descend, as if a had lost some of its weight. Carefully fill b with water. It will hold exactly the quantity displaced by a. Equilibrium will be restored." -Avery 1895

Archimedies Principle

"From one end of a scale-beam, suspend a cylindrical metal bucket, b, with a solid cylinder, a, that…

"ARGENT. The French word for silver, of which metal all white fields or charges are supposed to consist." -Hall, 1862

Argent

"ARGENT. The French word for silver, of which metal all white fields or charges are supposed to consist."…

A heraldic shield made of argent (silver), which is represented by its plain, smooth surface.

Argent Shield

A heraldic shield made of argent (silver), which is represented by its plain, smooth surface.

A shield or escutcheon emblazoned with the metal tincture, argent (silver), represented by white.

Argent Shield Metal

A shield or escutcheon emblazoned with the metal tincture, argent (silver), represented by white.

The Medieval Arm-chair from the 13th century was made out of metal with no drapery included.

Medieval Arm-Chair

The Medieval Arm-chair from the 13th century was made out of metal with no drapery included.

A method to create steel balls by inserting the sphere in a hollow cylinder and rotating the ball with two cylinders covered with leather on the top.

Device Turning Steel Sphere Balls

A method to create steel balls by inserting the sphere in a hollow cylinder and rotating the ball with…

"Galvanism is the branch of electric science to which an experiment by Galvani gave birth. His wife, who was making soup from frogs, put them in proximity to a charged electrical machine. On touching them with a scalpel their legs became greatly convulsed. He came to the erroneous conclusion that animal electricity existed in the nerves and muscles of frogs, etc. His contemporary Volta inferred that the metals took the active part in producing the contraction, and the electricity was due to their contact. In 1800 he first described and constructed what has since been called the Voltaic pile."—(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Galvanic Battery

"Galvanism is the branch of electric science to which an experiment by Galvani gave birth. His wife,…

This illustration shows an example of a bevel gear.

Bevel (gear)

This illustration shows an example of a bevel gear.

"Part of Henry VII's Bronze Screen." —The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1903

Bronze Screen

"Part of Henry VII's Bronze Screen." —The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1903

An illustration of a brooch created during the thirteenth century.

Brooch

An illustration of a brooch created during the thirteenth century.

An illustration of a brooch created during the twelfth century.

Brooch

An illustration of a brooch created during the twelfth century.

A can opener is a device used to open metal cans. Although preservation of food using tin cans had been practiced since at least 1772 in the Netherlands, the first can openers were patented only in 1855.

Early Model Can Opener

A can opener is a device used to open metal cans. Although preservation of food using tin cans had been…

This machine was used to create chains from sheet metal.

Machine, Chain Making

This machine was used to create chains from sheet metal.

This gas chandelier is made out of metal and has a bold style with curves and angles.

Gas Chandelier

This gas chandelier is made out of metal and has a bold style with curves and angles.

"Checky, sable and argent. CHECKY. The field covered with alternate squares of metal and fur." -Hall, 1862

Checky

"Checky, sable and argent. CHECKY. The field covered with alternate squares of metal and fur." -Hall,…

"The metal cut away near the center reduces the weight and provides passages for air circulation." — Hawkins, 1917

Solid core disk

"The metal cut away near the center reduces the weight and provides passages for air circulation." —…

"Counter-componée has two rows of squares, with a metal and color alternating."—Aveling, 1891

Counter-Componée

"Counter-componée has two rows of squares, with a metal and color alternating."—Aveling,…

"Part of one of the Hampton Court Gates." —The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1903

Court Gates

"Part of one of the Hampton Court Gates." —The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1903

This card dish is made out of metal and has birds of paradise as supporters of the tray.

Card Dish

This card dish is made out of metal and has birds of paradise as supporters of the tray.

"The plate A is 46 inches in diameter, and is composed of gun metal. These were put on by original graduation, mainly on the plan of Edward Troughton. One very great improvement in this engine is that the axis B is tubular, as seen at C. The object of this hollow is to receive the axis of the circle to be divided, so that it can be fixed flat to the plate by the clamps E, without having first to be detached from the axis and other parts to which it has already been carefully fitted. This obviates the necessity for resetting, which can hardly be done without some error. D is the tangent screw, and F the flame carrying it, which turns on carefully polished steel pivots. The screw is pressed against the edge of the plate by a spiral spring acting under the lever G, and by screwing the lever down the screw can be altogether removed from contact with the plate." — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1893

Dividing Engine

"The plate A is 46 inches in diameter, and is composed of gun metal. These were put on by original graduation,…

"Part of the Eleanor Grill." —The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1903

Eleanor Grill

"Part of the Eleanor Grill." —The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1903

An illustration of expanded metal.

Expanded Metal

An illustration of expanded metal.

"The expansion of solids by heat is clearly shown by the following experiment: m represents a ring of metal, through which, at the ordinary temperature, a small iron or copper ball, a, will pass freely, this ball being a little less than the diameter of the ring. If this ball be now heated by the flame of an alcohol lame, it will be come so far expanded by heat as no longer to pass through the ring." —Wells, 1857

Expansion of Solids

"The expansion of solids by heat is clearly shown by the following experiment: m represents a ring of…

"A projecting edge, rim, or rib on any object, as the rims by which cast-iron pipes are connected together, or the marginal projections on the tires of railroad-car wheels to keep them on the rails." -Whitney, 1911

Flange

"A projecting edge, rim, or rib on any object, as the rims by which cast-iron pipes are connected together,…

"A projecting edge, rim, or rib on any object, as the rims by which cast-iron pipes are connected together, or the marginal projections on the tires of railroad-car wheels to keep them on the rails." -Whitney, 1911

Flange

"A projecting edge, rim, or rib on any object, as the rims by which cast-iron pipes are connected together,…

"A projecting edge, rim, or rib on any object, as the rims by which cast-iron pipes are connected together, or the marginal projections on the tires of railroad-car wheels to keep them on the rails." -Whitney, 1911

Flange

"A projecting edge, rim, or rib on any object, as the rims by which cast-iron pipes are connected together,…

A Frue Vanner is a shaking, rubber belt used to concentrate gold ore 'pulp'.

Frue Vanner (End View)

A Frue Vanner is a shaking, rubber belt used to concentrate gold ore 'pulp'.

A Frue Vanner is a shaking, rubber belt used to concentrate gold ore 'pulp'.

Frue Vanner (Side View)

A Frue Vanner is a shaking, rubber belt used to concentrate gold ore 'pulp'.

An illustration of a iron gate.

Gate

An illustration of a iron gate.

The Gauntlet is a piece of protective armor for the hand, dating back to the 12th century. The first gauntlets were leather covered gloves with an unarticulated metal back. They evolved from the chain mail bag, which , in the 12th century, terminated at the sleeves of the hauberk. The gauntlet of the 14th century had separate, but unjointed fingers. This gauntlet was superseded by the 'mitten'.

Gauntlet

The Gauntlet is a piece of protective armor for the hand, dating back to the 12th century. The first…

"Grille. San Giacomo de Rialto, Venice. GRILLE. A piece of openwork or grating, usually of metal, as wrought-iron." -Whitney, 1911

Grille

"Grille. San Giacomo de Rialto, Venice. GRILLE. A piece of openwork or grating, usually of metal, as…

A shield or escutcheon emblazoned with the color tincture, gules (red), represented by vertical lines.

Gules Shield Color

A shield or escutcheon emblazoned with the color tincture, gules (red), represented by vertical lines.

Helical gearing is a modification of ordinary toothed gearing in which the pitch surfaces may be cylinders or cones (as in spur or bevel gearing); but the teeth intersect the pitch surfaces in helical lines. These wheels work much more smoothly and provide more resilience than ordinary gearing.

Helical Gearing

Helical gearing is a modification of ordinary toothed gearing in which the pitch surfaces may be cylinders…

A type of furnace for smelting metal ore.

Hot Blast-furnace

A type of furnace for smelting metal ore.

"It is composed of a hollow ball of glass, or metal, with a graduated scale rising from its upper part, which serves to balance it in the fluid." -Comstock 1850

Hydrometer

"It is composed of a hollow ball of glass, or metal, with a graduated scale rising from its upper part,…

An illustration of a knight sitting on a horse wearing a full suit of armor.

Knight in Full Armor

An illustration of a knight sitting on a horse wearing a full suit of armor.

This antique krater is made out of marble and has four handles. Found in Ostia a town near Rome, this antique vase is copied from the original that is made out of metal.

Antique Krater

This antique krater is made out of marble and has four handles. Found in Ostia a town near Rome, this…

A Kris. or Creese, is a dagger worn by almost every male over the age of fourteen (and sometimes by women) in Java and the Malay Peninsula. The blade is usually wavy, though sometimes straight, while the handle and scabbard are much ornamented.

Kris and Sheath

A Kris. or Creese, is a dagger worn by almost every male over the age of fourteen (and sometimes by…

A contrivance for shaping, or 'turning', wood, metal, or ivory into forms of a circular or oval section. The simplest form of lathe, and one which is still generally used in India, consists of two rigid centers, between which the object is revolved by means of a piece of cord wound round it, and pulled alternately backwards and forwards. The 'dead-center' lathe, which was commonly used early in the 1800's, was but a modification of this primitive form, preserving its chief drawback of an alternating motion.

Lathe for Wood-turning

A contrivance for shaping, or 'turning', wood, metal, or ivory into forms of a circular or oval section.…

This illustration shows metal sinking to the bottom of a beaker.

Metal Density

This illustration shows metal sinking to the bottom of a beaker.

Peruvian metal workers.

Metal Workers

Peruvian metal workers.

A small-top milking pail, with a large hood to keep dirt and other contaminants out.

Large-hooded milking pail

A small-top milking pail, with a large hood to keep dirt and other contaminants out.

A small-top milking pail, with a small hood to keep dirt and other contaminants out.

Small-hooded milking pail

A small-top milking pail, with a small hood to keep dirt and other contaminants out.

A heraldic shield made of or (gold), which is represented by engraving dots of pricks into the shield.

Or Shield

A heraldic shield made of or (gold), which is represented by engraving dots of pricks into the shield.

A shield or escutcheon emblazoned with the metal tincture, or (gold), represented by dots.

Or Shield Metal

A shield or escutcheon emblazoned with the metal tincture, or (gold), represented by dots.

A pail.

Pail

A pail.

A gas holder is a metallic shell which is open at the bottom (like a bell), the lower edge of which dips into a deep tank of water in order to prevent the contained gas from escaping. The framework may be either of steel or timber -- the latter being preferred for the largest holders.

This illustration shows a partial section of a typical large American gas holder. It is a 5,000,000 cubic foot holder in New York City.

Partial Section of Typical Large American Gas Holder

A gas holder is a metallic shell which is open at the bottom (like a bell), the lower edge of which…

This Arabian pipe-spout pot is a 16th century design made out of metal.

Arabian Pipe-Spout Pot

This Arabian pipe-spout pot is a 16th century design made out of metal.

This Italian Renaissance pipe-spout pot is a state-jug that is made out of metal.

Italian Renaissance Pipe-Spout Pot

This Italian Renaissance pipe-spout pot is a state-jug that is made out of metal.

This modern pipe-spout pot is a tea-kettle. It is made out of metal and has a hoop handle with a wooden guard.

Modern Pipe-Spout Pot

This modern pipe-spout pot is a tea-kettle. It is made out of metal and has a hoop handle with a wooden…

This is a pitcher made out of metallic materials, useful to maintain temperatures of warm liquid, and cold liquids due to metallic thermal properties

Can Pitcher

This is a pitcher made out of metallic materials, useful to maintain temperatures of warm liquid, and…

This is a metal polish work which reads "Jewel" witch a smaller font "HR" Badge at the bottom.

Metal Polish

This is a metal polish work which reads "Jewel" witch a smaller font "HR" Badge at the bottom.

Peruvian pottery.

Peruvian Pottery

Peruvian pottery.

A tool used for cutting metals. "a and c, levers connected by a link bar b, and respectively pivoted at f and f1 to the frame e. By the arrangement of the levers the movable blade d, attached to c, acts with a strong purchase in combination with the stationary blade d1, rigidly attached to the frame e." —Whitney, 1889

Purchase Shears for Cutting Metal

A tool used for cutting metals. "a and c, levers connected by a link bar b, and respectively pivoted…

"As temperature elevates, the metal bar being tested expands accordingly and the dial measures the expansive power per degree of heat." —Quackenbos 1859

Pyrometer

"As temperature elevates, the metal bar being tested expands accordingly and the dial measures the expansive…

"AB is a strong metal tube, closed at the lower end, and carrying at the upper a bent pipe for admitting the compressed gas and a stop-cock R pierced with holes in a T form. DE and FG are two graduated glass tubes communicating at their lower ends by a narrow passage in the metal block to which they are hermetically fixed. DE and AB Also communicate at the upper ends by a passage in a metal piece attached bermetically to them. By the stop-cock R', having radial holes at right angles to each other, DE can communicate either with AB or with the atmosphere at O; and by the stop-cock R'' it can communicate either with FG or with the open air. The three tubes are surrounded by a cylinder MM' containing water to keep the temperature constant. The tube AB is filled with the compressed gas whose pressure is to be ascertained. Mercury is poured into FG till it fills DE and runs out at O." —The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1903

Regnaults Manometer

"AB is a strong metal tube, closed at the lower end, and carrying at the upper a bent pipe for admitting…

This furnace is used to purify a gold concentrate. The gold concentrates, if non-pyritic, are treated in grinding pans in the bottom of which mercury is placed. The amalgam (mercury alloy), after squeezing out the excess mercury, is heated in the retort, to distil (separate) off the rest and leave the gold, which is then melted and cast into bars of gold bullion of varying fineness.

Retort Furnace for Gold Bullion

This furnace is used to purify a gold concentrate. The gold concentrates, if non-pyritic, are treated…

A mill furnished with heavy rollers, through which heated metal is passed, to form it into sheets, bars or rails.

Rolling-mill

A mill furnished with heavy rollers, through which heated metal is passed, to form it into sheets, bars…

A large metal container used to heat and boil water in.

Samovar

A large metal container used to heat and boil water in.