Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
The original meme tool, the "Alligator" wrench, has an unusual history. It turns out it wasn't originally designed, for what we think it was designed for.
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Check out the full Tool Lore playlist here: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-fhNrtmTAv286gDzTcav8FyxCagDTouy
American Saw history: google.com/books/edition/American_Wrench_Makers_1830_1930/F6whEQAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA38&printsec=frontcover
1887 "Alligator" Trademark: tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=14,524
1875 Pipe Wrench Patent: patents.google.com/patent/US167368A
1883 Pipe Wrench Patent: patents.google.com/patent/US280793A
1923 Southern Engineer article: google.com/books/edition/Southern_Engineer/GJ7mAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=RA1-PA66&printsec=frontcover
1905 Automobile Dealer article: google.com/books/edition/Automobile_Dealer_and_Repairer/iPxYAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA92&printsec=frontcover
1913 Gas Power article: google.com/books/edition/Gas_Power/sjc5AQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA20&printsec=frontcover
1914 Bonney Catalog: archive.org/details/BonneyCatalog181914/page/n39/mode/2up
1895 AmSaw ad: google.com/books/edition/Hardware/M1Y2AQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=RA10-PA15&printsec=frontcover
1902 Roebling Ad: google.com/books/edition/The_Pilot_and_Philadelphia_Reading_Railw/SSEyAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=RA7-PR2&printsec=frontcover
The original meme tool, the "Alligator" wrench, has an unusual history. It turns out it wasn't originally designed, for what we think it was designed for.
Join this channel to get access to perks: youtube.com/channel/UCqlO54ZdQjkkjpgD1yWaWgQ/join
Check out the full Tool Lore playlist here: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-fhNrtmTAv286gDzTcav8FyxCagDTouy
American Saw history: google.com/books/edition/American_Wrench_Makers_1830_1930/F6whEQAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA38&printsec=frontcover
1887 "Alligator" Trademark: tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=14,524
1875 Pipe Wrench Patent: patents.google.com/patent/US167368A
1883 Pipe Wrench Patent: patents.google.com/patent/US280793A
1923 Southern Engineer article: google.com/books/edition/Southern_Engineer/GJ7mAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=RA1-PA66&printsec=frontcover
1905 Automobile Dealer article: google.com/books/edition/Automobile_Dealer_and_Repairer/iPxYAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA92&printsec=frontcover
1913 Gas Power article: google.com/books/edition/Gas_Power/sjc5AQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA20&printsec=frontcover
1914 Bonney Catalog: archive.org/details/BonneyCatalog181914/page/n39/mode/2up
1895 AmSaw ad: google.com/books/edition/Hardware/M1Y2AQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=RA10-PA15&printsec=frontcover
1902 Roebling Ad: google.com/books/edition/The_Pilot_and_Philadelphia_Reading_Railw/SSEyAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=RA7-PR2&printsec=frontcover
