2. The Axe and America's Wooden Age

Question 1

Technology transfer

Answer 1

bringing (transferring) technology and skilled workers from culture to culture.

Question 2

American axes

Answer 2

- a heavy poll
   > adds extra weight
   > gives balance
   > helps chopped wood
- longer handles
- broader heads

Question 3

American Felling Axe

Answer 3

• cut 3x as many trees than the British axe
• folding iron pattern
• steel wedge
• hammer welded
• blacksmith would sell you the axe head and you could customize the axe handle

Question 4

Axe Handle Patterns

Answer 4

• Pre-Civil War –> straight axe handle

- By 1885 –> more curved axe handle

Question 5

How was wood used?

Answer 5

1. building material
2. Fuel source for heat, light, steam engines
3. Processed chemicals
   > Potash
   > Naval Stores
   > Tanin
   > Maple Sugar

Question 6

Potash

Answer 6

alkaline can be used in dye making.

Question 7

Naval Stores

Answer 7

products derived from pine sap.

> ex. turpentine, pitch, tar, etc.

Question 8

Tannin

Answer 8

comes from oak tree. To tan leather

Question 9

Frow/Froe and Shingles or Clapboards

Answer 9

• Froe could split a block of wood into shingles

- Or clapboards by twisting the handle as the froe is struck