Developing Into Social Order 



He learned that flint rock could be chipped Into the shape 

 of an ax, but that It was easily broken and that there were 

 other stones such as hornblend and granite that were much 

 tougher and less easily broken; that these could be rubbed 

 Into the shape and size that he desired and that by rubbing 

 a groove around and Into the stone, a handle could be 

 applied thereto. This gave him the stone ax. With this 

 he could strike a more powerful blow. It was a weapon 

 of both offense and defense and a handy tool about his camp- 

 fire. It also became a weapon of universal use throughout 

 the world. It has gone through many forms In Its devel- 

 opment. The skill and patience of the workman who spent 

 long hours and days In shaping and polishing these weapons, 

 may be traced In varying degrees, the same as can be done 

 with products made by modern workmen. 



The stone hammer and stone ax have. In the course of 

 centuries, been supplanted by hammers and axes of steel, 

 but the principle of their use has not changed. In tracing 

 the development of mechanical progress, It is sufficient to 

 show the beginning and the present In the development of 

 the mechanical aids which man has called Into use. At first 

 their size and the power of their blows were limited to 

 human muscular force. Now, by utilizing a force of Nature 

 in the form of steam, hammers are made that can strike a 

 blow that will break a solid piece of steel thirty-six inches In 

 thickness. The principle of the flint tipped arrow that could 

 be propelled by a bow for a distance of three or four hun- 

 dred feet, has changed to the instant expansion of explosives 

 that will drive a steel shell for a distance of seventy-five 

 miles. The sharp edged piece of flint that was, perhaps, 



[39] 



