By necessity, by proclivity, and by delight, we all quote. In fact, it is as difficult to appropriate the thoughts of others as it is to invent.
-- R. Emerson -- Quoted from a fortune cookie program (whose author claims, "Actually, stealing IS easier.") [to which I reply, "You think it's easy for me to misconstrue all these misquotations?!?" Ed.]

"tool"

Definition: instrument used to shape, form, finish

Synonyms: apparatus, appliance, contraption, contrivance, device, engine, gadget, gizmo, implement, instrument, job, machine, means, mechanism, utensil, weapon, whatchamacallit

Credit: thesaurus.com

Tools represent Humanity's greatest achievement -- the desire and the ability to rise above the flesh, to enable each of us to create whatever we imagine. From the ealiest stick, digging out grubs from a fallen tree ... to the latest hand-held, head-held, or mentally-directed device, tools allow us to devise, revise, ruminate, communicate, work and play.

The following sampling are tools developed upon need for one purpose or another...