Screws and the screwdrivers that fix them into place have a long history, dating back to at least the 15th century. In those times, screwdrivers and screws were used to hold pieces of armor and weaponry together. Today, these tools are used towards more pacifistic ends, such as affixing furniture parts to one another. The technology of screws may have changed little from the form in which they were originally conceived, but this simplicity gives these tools an extremely wide range of applications in today’s world. Rather than remaining unchanged, screw technology has been expanded upon, with the drives by which screws are put into place taking many different forms.
Every type of screw driver has a corresponding screwdriver that matches the shape of the drive. Mismatching a screwdriver to the type or size of screw drive can damage the screw, creating problems especially when a screw must be removed from something since damaging the screw drive can make it impossible to take out the screw. This guide describes the various types of screwdrivers that correspond with screw drives, helping readers to understand what types of screwdrivers are right for their needs.