Tools That Deserve an Honorable Mention (and a Few I Forgot About Until This Morning)
Some weeks ago, I wrote about humanity’s most iconic tools—fire, storytelling, empathy, and so on—but like an absentminded archaeologist, I realized this morning that I’d left a few gems buried in the rubble. While the original "toolbox of humanity" covered the essentials, there are plenty of honorable mentions and unsung heroes that deserve their time in the spotlight.
Here’s a look at the tools I overlooked, the ones we take for granted, and a few that I rediscovered while making coffee this morning.
1. Opposable Thumbs: The MVP of Tools
How did I forget the OG tool of tools? Our opposable thumbs are the reason we can grip a hammer, hold a pen, or text at 3,000 words per minute. Without them, we’d be poking things with sticks like frustrated cats.
Thumbs are the unsung heroes of evolution. They’re the reason we can tie shoelaces, peel bananas, and open jars (or try to, and then sheepishly ask someone else). Let’s all take a moment to thank our thumbs for their service.
2. Language: The Original Cheat Code
Language is the Swiss Army knife of communication. With it, we can express love, start revolutions, or argue about whether pineapple belongs on pizza (it doesn’t, but let’s not fight).
Sure, I mentioned storytelling, but language itself deserves its own honorable mention. It’s the reason we can give detailed instructions like, “Don’t eat the berries that make you see God and your ancestors at the same time,” instead of relying on vague grunts and interpretive dances.
3. The Stick: Humanity’s First DIY Project
Ah, the stick. Is it a weapon? A tool? A toy? The answer is yes. The humble stick was probably the first object we picked up, looked at, and thought, “Hey, I can poke things with this!”
Over time, sticks evolved into spears, staffs, and selfie sticks. (Okay, not all progress is good progress.) But let’s give credit where it’s due: the stick was our first foray into toolmaking, and it’s still helping us roast marshmallows today.
4. Pockets: Tools for Carrying Tools
Where would we be without pockets? Probably dropping things everywhere. Pockets are the unsung enablers of humanity’s success. They’re why we can carry fire starters, snacks, and smartphones all at once.
Fun fact: Pockets weren’t always a universal feature. Women’s clothing lacked them for centuries, proving once again that fashion often prioritizes aesthetics over practicality. Let’s hear it for pockets, the real MVP of utility.
5. The Mirror: A Tool for Self-Discovery (and Vanity)
Before mirrors, humans could only catch glimpses of themselves in water, which explains why ancient hairstyles were so chaotic. The mirror changed everything. Suddenly, we could pluck eyebrows, adjust hats, and ask existential questions like, “Is that really what I look like?”
More than a grooming aid, mirrors have inspired art, science, and terrifying haunted house attractions. They’ve earned their place in the toolbox, even if they occasionally make us cringe.
6. The Blanket: The Comfort Tool
What’s the most underrated tool in human history? The blanket. It keeps us warm, makes forts, and provides emotional support during scary movies.
Blankets are the universal symbol of comfort. Whether you’re swaddling a baby or cocooning yourself during a midlife crisis, the blanket is always there for you. It may not be as flashy as fire or as complex as language, but it’s a tool we’d be lost without.
7. Containers: Tools for Not Losing Stuff
From baskets to backpacks to Tupperware, containers are humanity’s answer to chaos. They let us store food, carry water, and organize all those random screws we’re too afraid to throw away.
Containers are so integral to human life that archaeologists often use them to define ancient cultures. “Ah, yes, the people of the Broken Clay Pot era—they sure loved containers.”
8. Shoes: Tools for Walking Anywhere Without Screaming
Before shoes, every step was an adventure—and not in a good way. Shoes let us traverse rocky terrain, hot sand, and mystery puddles without risking injury.
From sandals to stilettos, shoes have evolved into symbols of status and style. But at their core, they’re a simple tool that says, “Hey, let’s make walking less terrible.”
9. Coffee: The Tool for Tools
Okay, coffee isn’t a tool in the traditional sense, but it’s the tool that powers all the others. Without coffee, how would we find the energy to wield fire, tell stories, or remember where we put our opposable thumbs?
Coffee deserves an honorable mention for being the fuel of innovation. After all, no one ever invented anything great while sipping decaf.
10. Laughter: The Tool for Surviving Humanity
Finally, let’s not forget laughter. It’s how we cope with the absurdity of existence, from stubbing our toes to accidentally replying-all on work emails. Laughter may not fix problems, but it makes them a little easier to bear.
Plus, it’s contagious—like a good meme or a bad cold. If that’s not the mark of a great tool, I don’t know what is.
Conclusion: The Forgotten and the Essential
Humanity’s toolbox is vast and ever-growing, but it’s the small, often-overlooked tools that make life not just survivable but enjoyable. From pockets to blankets, from coffee to laughter, these tools remind us that the simplest things often have the greatest impact.
So, the next time you grab a stick, admire yourself in a mirror, or wrap up in a blanket, take a moment to appreciate the quiet brilliance of these honorable mentions. They may not get the glory, but they’re the real heroes of human history.