What things did Luban invent?

Luban’s invention of “planing”

Before Luban, carpenters only used axes and knives to flatten the wood used for construction. As a result, even if they did a good job, it was still difficult. Satisfactory. Later, Luban discovered through long-term practice that the thinner the blade he used, the flatter the surface he created and the easier it was to dry. In this way, this planing gradually evolved from Luban's practice, initially with a thin ax blade, later with a blade fixed to a piece of wood and crossed over the handle, and finally the blade was fixed in the wooden groove - this is what we The plane we are familiar with today. Luban's wife was also an inventor who inspired her husband. When Luban was planing the wood, she had to stand on one end of the wood and hold the rough slab. Since she had other obligations to fulfill, it was not ideal to do such a thing, so she invented a wooden groove for the wood planing workbench to withstand the pressure of Luban's wood planing, making wood planing possible by one person. work. The wooden trough she invented became known as Banzhi.

Ink fountain

Another very important tool invented by Luban is the craftsman's ink fountain (used for setting construction projects). This invention may have been inspired by his mother. At that time, his mother was cutting and sewing clothes. Luban watched all this and saw that she used a small powder bag and a thread to print out the desired shape. Luban transferred this method to an ink fountain, pinched both ends of a thread (thread soaked with the ink fountain) and placed it on the material to be made to print the required lines. Initially, Luban and his mother had to hold both ends of the line. Later his mother suggested that he make a small hook and tie it to one end of the line, thereby freeing her from the chore and allowing one person to perform it. In order to commemorate Lu Ban's mother, craftsmen still call this ink fountain Ban Mu.

Ruler

Another symbol of Luban's invention is the triangular plate that can correctly draw right angles, also known as Ban ruler. It can tell the craftsman which dimensions are irregular and according to the The rules of divination (feng shui) which are unlucky. These rulers are still available in Hong Kong today. Luban attaches great importance to the invention of the saw. Or be inspired by a blade of grass with a toothed edge and cut your finger, or see a cricket cutting and eating food with its sharp teeth and leave. Regardless, most are described below. Luban and the craftsmen encountered a task that required them to cut down a large amount of wood. After several days of cutting, they were exhausted and the axes they used were dull. At this time, Lu Ban suddenly cut his finger on a blade of grass. He immediately thought: It would be a good way to make a tool like this to cut wood. He selected a piece of bamboo and used an ax to cut a row of teeth on its edge. The new saw cut through the bark easily, and the soft bamboo teeth wore away quickly as he cut across the tree. However, this proves the principle that sawing can break wood. So Lu Ban put down what he was doing and went to the blacksmith, asking him to prepare an iron plate as hard and sharp as an axe, and then make it into a tooth shape. Luban had this first artificial saw blade, and used it on a wooden roof truss to cut wood accurately and effortlessly.

Bolt

Another symbol of Luban’s invention is the bolt. In ancient times, bolts used by people were shaped like fish and hung on doors. Needham points out that Luban replaced these pegs with keys shaped like tamper keys, which depended on the exact function of the mating parts. Luban's skills were enough to create such a device, and it is said that he also invented the "lock tumbler" that is still used in many locks today. Other symbols of Luban's inventions are drills, wedges, windlass, shovels and stone mills for grinding rice. The stone grinder was invented when Lu Ban saw an old woman struggling to use a hammer and mortar. After much consideration, he made two thick stone slices and cut them into cylinders, and then made holes on their surfaces, one on top of the other, and placed wheat and rice between them. When the upper cylinder rotated, the powder (or flour) comes out.

Umbrella

The final word for this invention was attributed to Lu Ban’s wife. In ancient times, rainy days and hot summers plagued people, and people had to hide under small pavilions instead of going out.

There is such a legend that Luban built many small pavilions around his neighbors for everyone to use, but they still did not allow people to go out freely during the stormy season. Lu Ban's wife then made a lightweight bamboo pavilion with oiled paper according to the style of the pavilion built by her husband - of course it was an umbrella. His wife said to Luban: "The house you built cannot be lifted and moved. My umbrella can take it everywhere and provide protection in various seasons."

In addition, There are shovels, chisels and other tools