Tools used to tighten or loosen bolts and nuts, or the act of twisting something forcefully.
From Old English 'wrenc' meaning to twist or bend. The tool meaning developed in the 1600s when the twisting action of the tool was compared to wringing.
Wrenches changed everything for machines—before standardized wrenches, every bolt required a custom tool, which is why the monkey wrench (adjustable wrench) invented in 1842 was revolutionary.
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