Spanner

Single-ended iron spanner with u-shape opening, around 1920.

Spanners like this one were used by engineers in general maintenance tasks in settings such as mines and mills.

This spanner was used at a mine in Lancashire. In textile mills, they were used by engineers called tacklers. Tacklers had the important job of fixing breakdowns and keeping the machines running. As weavers were paid by the amount of cloth they made, if the looms stopped working, they would not be paid. This simple piece of technology aided the smooth running of machines and ensured that the workers were productive.

This spanner is unbranded and of a non-specific size. It is a simple iron tool with evidence of wear and tear, giving it the appearance of having been well used.