[modeleng] Re: idle musings

Peter, I was told this story by a chap that used to build his own armour.

With a crossbow, the act of drawing back the string (?) to the firing 
position is called "spanning" the bow. Early crossbows were spanned by 
placing the bow with the stock pointing up and the centre of the bow on the 
ground (Aiming at the floor, so to speak). With is feet either side  of the 
body of the bow, but over the arms, the bowman then used a hook which was 
around his waist to pull the string up to the latch. This was done by 
bending forwards, attaching the hook, then straightening up. This was fine 
until the pull required was increased.

Later crossbows had a squared shaft which could be wound to "span" the bow. 
The tool that was used on the squared shaft became known as a spanner.

If it isn't true, then it's such a good story that it ought to be!

JohnP
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <peter.chadwick@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <modeleng@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2008 11:15 AM
Subject: [modeleng] idle musings


Where did some of the names for tools originate? Why a bastard file?
Incidentally, what is it called in French and German?
Why is it a spanner in the UK, but a wrench in the US?
Who was Allen of key fame ( but I believe, an Allen wrench in the US)
How come an adjustable spanner is 'un clef anglaise' in French when it was
invented by a Swede?
Why is it called a 'Scotch yoke'?
Anybody got any ideas?

OK, it's one way to pass a Sunday morning.......


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