TITLE: hand tool: Tongs, pincers, and pliers
SECTION: Tongs, pincers, and pliers
Tongs, pincers, tweezers, and pliers have the common task of holding or gripping objects so that they may be handled more easily. The early use of fire created a new problem, that of handling hot coals. Two sticks probably served as the first uncertain holders, but bronze bars may have replaced wooden tongs as early as 3000 bc. An Egyptian wall painting of about 1450 bc shows a crucible...