Why was the Philips screw invented?

Question

Was it just to p*ss people off when they realise they only have a Straight-edged, slotted screwdriver in their toolbox?
If Philips is the superior design, why hasn't the Slotted variety been slowly phased out of existence?

Answer 1

I think the slotted screw is more of a pain in the proverbial, especially when you have to put the screw in in an angle (which happens a lot in woodworking).
The Philips screw became popular - also - with automated manufacturing, because the screw bit "falls" into the right position while a slotted one wouldn't (so easily).

Be glad you are not living in Canada, there they have a third type of screw, the "Robinson" screw, which has a square "slot" and comes in 3 or 4 sizes! Advantage, though, it holds the screw on the screwdriver bit, so you have one hand free.

Answer 2

A Philips screwdriver is a better Engineered tool extractor then a straight flat screwdriver, in that it uses 4 = metal sides in a X type formation focused in the middle of a screw.Where a more positive force can be applied toward the shaft of the screw....

( Physical Drive )

Answer 3

various issues to objective or do, one in all which revolves around how various of the screw is protruding...i've got stripped some screws in my day, and have helped others with their stripped screws. IF the screw is protruding a a million/2-inch or so, you may take an electric (or battery-pushed) drill and open the jaws of the chuck extensive sufficient to slide down over the screw, then tighten the chuck's jaws firmly around the screw head; then positioned the drill in opposite and s-l-o-w-l-y squeeze the set off to back-out the screw. yet an selection selection is an E-Z Out: this is a 2-step technique...1st step is to drill a hollow into the screw head appropriate for the dimensions of the screw AND of the EZ Out (EZ Outs frequently are available a series with 3 or 4 distinctive sizes), then insert the EZ OUT bit into the drill, positioned the drill into 'opposite' and slowly squeeze the set off...the EZ OUT has 'opposite threads' on it that chew into the screw head and its shank. the bigger the screw, the better this technique is. And, as others have stated, try using a ViseGrip pliers to fasten onto the screw head and twist the screw out. If the table is wood, and the screw is in all the way, you will could dig around the screw head, scooping out sufficient wood to allow the ViseGrips to get a reliable carry of the screw. there is likewise yet-yet another extraction gadget accessible: interestingly basically like a Phillips screwdriver, inspite of the undeniable fact that it fairly is factors are a sprint distinctive: it fairly is hardened 'gadget-steel' and additionally you're taking a hammer and gently pound the pinnacle of it into the place the recess became on your caught screw; its steel isn't person-friendly sufficient to decrease into the screw's head so as which you will back the screw out. it fairly is form of a uniqueness merchandise, possibly no longer accessible in any respect shops...try a WoodWorker-kind shop or pass online in case you may no longer discover it everywhere else. whilst all is asserted and carried out, it fairly is the reason you drill a 'pilot hollow' into wood in the previous you start up putting interior the screws. reliable success.

Answer 4

Fact of the matter is that the standard slotted design is capable of providing slightly more torque for a given screw size than a Phillips without slippage or damage to the screw. The side are straighter, so one needn't supply quite so much downward force at the same time as applying torque. Also, they have lever advantage since the extremes of the slot are at a larger distance from the axis than a Phillips. It is also slightly cheaper to manufacture. These advantages are offset by the p!ss-off factor of driving them, especially w/o a starter hole or at awkard angles.

Answer 5

I remember hearing this once... seems it had to do with the SLOT on the standard screw being the patented part of the screw and the Philips head was developed so the car industry didn't have to pay royalties.

Answer 6

The Philips screw driver has it's benifits as well as it's disadvantages! I'm not sure who came up with the idea & your right it is a pain in the ***! But the reason for the criss,cross slot it for more torc when you turn the srew for a tighter grip either on or off! hope I helped ya!:)

Answer 7

It makes it easy to place the screw driver in the slot when its Phillips head and the old style screw especially in wood screws allows for stronger pressure to be used to screw it in without slipping.~~

Answer 8

Ford was actually the first manufacturer to use the phillips head screw driver because it offered less slippage than the flat head. It made manufacturing cars far more easy, and efficient.