The History Of The Drill: How We Went From Heavy Metal To Lithium-Ion Freedom
Feb 13, 2026
If you’re on a job site today, you probably take that brushless, high-torque, battery-powered beast on your hip for granted. You grab it, you pull the trigger, and it just works. But it wasn’t always this easy. There was a time when drilling a hole meant dragging around a generator, hunting for an outlet, or wrestling a tool that weighed more than a bag of concrete.
We decided to look back at the tape. We’re revisiting the history of the drill, tracing the lineage from the clunky iron giants of the 19th century to the smart-sensing marvels we stock today.
The "Hold My Beer" Era (1895 - 1917)
The story starts in 1895 with a German guy named Wilhelm Fein. He invented what is technically the first portable power drill. I use the word "portable" loosely here. This thing was an absolute unit. It took two hands to operate, looked like a death ray from a steampunk movie, and if you skipped arm day, you weren't using it.
But the real MVP moment came in 1917.
That’s when Black & Decker filed a patent that changed the game forever: the pistol grip with a trigger switch. It sounds simple now, but back then? That was the iPhone moment of the trades. It allowed for single-handed operation and set the standard for basically every tool you own today.
Cutting The Cord (Literally)
From the Roaring Twenties through the Sixties, the corded drill was the king of the castle. Brands like Milwaukee and Bosch entered the chat, making tools tougher and more reliable for the pros. But you were still tethered to the wall like a bad relationship.
Then, the Space Race happened.
In 1961, Black & Decker dropped the first cordless electric power drill, originally designed for NASA. That’s right, the tech helping you hang drywall today was born from guys trying to fix stuff in zero gravity. However, it wasn't until the 80s and 90s, with the rise of Nickel-Cadmium (NiCad) batteries, that cordless tools became practical for the average contractor.
The Modern Battery Wars
Fast forward to today, and we are living in the golden age of power tools. The days of waiting hours for a battery to charge are gone. We’ve got Lithium-Ion tech, brushless motors that last forever, and Bluetooth tracking so your apprentice doesn't "accidentally" take your hammer drill home.
It’s an all-out war for dominance between the big dogs like Makita, DeWalt, and Milwaukee. They aren't just selling drills anymore; they’re selling ecosystems. Whether you’re running a compact 12-volt driver for cabinet work or a 60-volt monster for mixing mud, the history of the drill has led us to a place where power finally meets convenience.
Watch The Evolution
Want to see exactly how we got from point A to point B? We broke it all down in our latest video.
Check it out below.
Gear To Get The Job Done
You know the history, now get the gear. Whether you are Team Red, Team Yellow, or Team Teal, we have the loadout you need to crush the next project.
This 1-1/8-inch SDS Plus Rotary Hammer Kit imparts up to 3.6 foot-lbs. of impact energy to quickly demolish the toughest construction materials. The 8-amp motor generates a maximum of 1,500 RPM and 5,500 BPM for efficient work. The anti-vibration (AVS) feature reduces this Milwaukee rotary hammer's overall vibrations to reduce hand strain and wear on the motor for a comfortable-to-use, long-lasting tool.
This DEWALT 20V MAX Compact Brushless Impact Driver is only 5.1 in. front to back, and features a high performance brushless motor that delivers 1700 in-lbs of torque and 3 LED lights to provide optimum illumination in dark spaces as you work. For increased comfort, the handle features an ergonomic design for balance and easier tool control along with a removable belt hook.
This 12V max cordless driver drill from Makita USA is powered by a powerful 4 Amp-hour brushless motor that has capacity to deliver up to 250 Inch-lb of max torque. Drill operates at two variable speeds of 0 to 450 and 0 to 1700 RPM that suits many drilling and driving applications. The ergonomically designed handle is provided with soft rubberized grip so that the user can work for long duration without any fatigue.
