When was pitchfork invented

Retrieve it. If by any chance you spot an inappropriate image within your search results please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly. Term » Definition. Word in Definition. Princeton's WordNet 0. Wiktionary 0. Webster Dictionary 0. Freebase 0. Suggested Resources 0. Etymology and Origins 0. Matched Categories Lift. How to pronounce Pitchfork? Alex US English. David US English. Mark US English. Daniel British. May 22, This invention relates to pitch forks and has for an object to provide an improved fork wherein the tines may be removed and replaced at any time.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fork for farm use wherein the tines are rigidly held in place but so formed as to be easily removed and new ones substituted at any time so as to readily replace worn or broken tines. In the accompanying drawing Figure 1 is a front view of a fork disclosing an embodiment of the invention, part of the handle being broken away. Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view partially in section.

The pitchfork is also associated with angry mobs. Some historians surmise that since farmers were not allowed to own weapons in some eras or couldn't afford weapons in others, they had to use whichever farming implements were handy, and the pitchfork could stand in as a very effective weapon. When defending their lands, a mob of farmers with pitchforks could be as effective as armed men.

Likewise, rioting farmers protesting living or working conditions could have carried the pitchfork as a reminder of the type of work that they do, and as a form of self protection. The number of tines on a pitchfork can vary from two to six, and the spacing may be variable as well.

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