The wrench is a seemingly timeless tool, recognized the world over as an invention based on principles of simple physics-a lever producing torque against the axis of a bolt.
It was first patented on August 17, 1935 by Solymon Merrick, a metal worker in Connecticut. Soon after, a variety of wrenches followed: the "monkey" wrench, invented by Charles Moncky in 1958, the pipe wrench, patented by Daniel Stillson in 1870, and the ratchet wrench, invented by Robert Owen, Jr. in 1913. The world's first black heavyweight boxing champion, Jack Johnson, patented a wrench on April 18, 1922.
Due to its versatility and popularity, a number of companies began offering a variety of wrenches nationwide, including Sears & Roebuck, Inc. The forerunners of the Craftsman brand of products first appeared in the Hardware and Cutlery section of the Sears catalog in 1927, but it wasn't until 1948 that the Craftsman name was officially launched. Since its inception, Craftsman tools have become a paradigm for quality and dependability, traits that have earned a place among America's top brands. It introduced the first ratchet wrench with a quick and easy push-button socket release in 1966. With its gear/pawl design, it was a breakthrough in ratchet design that is commonplace today. It was only 10 years ago that it changed the metallic composition of its tools to make the process more environmentally friendly, as well as making the tools more rust-resistant.
Perhaps what has given the Craftsman brand its distinguishing characteristic of trustworthiness is the lifetime guarantee on all its hand tools. If a Craftsman hand tool fails to work or provide complete satisfaction, it can be returned for a free replacement, regardless of when or where that tool was purchased.
Marketing more that 5,000 parts in 80 categories, Craftsman produces more than a million sockets a day and sells 30 million wrenches each year. Since 1927, Craftsman has sold more than 85 million pairs of pliers, 725 million screwdrivers and 28 million adjustable wrenches. Given those numbers, it is difficult to imagine a shop, garage or household kitchen drawer that doesn't have a Craftsman product in it. The Craftsman wrench is more than merely a tool, it is a product of industry, a symbol of American pride, an icon.