Thousands of years ago, inventors created simple machines to make the work of pulling, pushing and lifting a lot easier. When two or more of these simple machines are put together, they
form a compound machine. Most of the machines we use today are compound machines, but before they
could be built, inventors had to understand how simple machines worked first. Check out the sites below
to find out which simple machines you use everyday.
Simple Machines
The Franklin Institute breaks down inclined planes, levers,
wedges, screws, pulleys, wheels and axels.
Exploring Leonardo
Leonardo da Vinci was one of the greatest painters of the Italian Renaissance, but he was also an
inventor of several simple machines.
Simple Machines
Learn how these simple tools make work easier.
Gadget Anatomy
Once you've become a simple-machines pro, take the ultimate challenge by trying to figure out which
simple machine you see in each gadget.