Some History After many thousands of years, it is both interesting, and even satisfying in a way, to know that we are still using the same basic tools to bring life and beauty to our gardens as people around the world have been doing throughout the history of the world.
Sure, technologies like the production of stronger and lighter materials, gas and electric motors, and precision manufacturing techniques have improved the ancient tools of flint, wood, and stone, but the basic designs and the ways we use our lawn and garden tools haven't change much at all.
How We have Improved on the Basics In more recent years, two fields of study have exploded worldwide that I believe have had a positive influence on how we can improve the timeless basics of the forms and functions of trimmer tools and garden tools.
They are the study of the environment and the study of ergonomics.
The World of Environmental Concern The idea of less waste is now almost universally accepted, and concern for the environment is now common to most.
And, though environmental science is very complicated in what it addresses (areas such as cleaner fuel sources, environmentally friendly manufacturing processes, emission controls and filtering), the easiest and most common way for all of us to care for the environment is to simply use less and throw away less.
This has led to the decline of "throw away" consumerism, where the bottom line was to get it cheap, use if for a little while till it breaks, and then just throw it away and get another one.
Many consumers now want to buy products of better quality and design, so they can definitely experience the positive outcomes of "less is more.
" And, this has influenced some new designs of lawn and garden tools that are both durable and have multi-use applications, which allows people to buy and use less and to have their tools around a lot longer.
Both allow for the positive, environmentally friendly "less is more.
" The World of Ergonomics The study of ergonomics is the study of designing the job, work place, and tools to "fit" the worker and reduce the chances of discomfort and work related injuries.
Again, the field of ergonomics, like the field of environmental studies, is quite complex and comprehensive, but the basic benefits of smart ergonomic design have now been incorporated into some of the new trimmer tools and garden tools one sees on the market.
Ergonomically-oriented curves and adjustable heights are two of the most common ways lawn and garden tools have been improved.
For instance, the curved handle of a snow shovel prevents the user from having to bend so far over and allows the back to be more vertical, allowing the user to lift more from their legs and not from their lower back.
Handles and poles that can be height-adjusted are also great ways to either help the same user in different settings, or allow different users with different heights to comfortably use the same lawn and garden tool by adjusting it to their needs.
Telescopic tools are a great version of height-adjustable design.
They truly allow the user to work in a far larger variety of ways and at a much greater level of comfort.
Telescopic Tools with Exchangeable Heads Combine both Worlds One of the best examples of smart technology that combines the positive "less is more" environmental approach with the ergonomic concern for pain-free comfort, are lawn and garden tools with telescoping handles for height adjusting comfort and interchangeable heads so one tool does it all.
These tools save space, cut down on waste and expense, and they allow for the user to do many more jobs than the traditional collection of many rakes, shovels, trimmers, etc.
They also allow different users to adjust the handle length to fit their individual height perfectly.