You must have heard how the earth came into being. It is believed, by the Yorubas, that the earth evolved when the gods descended from heaven to Ile-Ife. For Christians, it is believed that the world began with an imperative statement- “Let there be light!” But have you ever wondered how certain objects, like nails, masks, wheels, etc., evolved? Think about it this way. If these little things were absent in the society, would their absence be felt?

Today, you will be reading about one of these objects that get a little less attention but is of vast significance in our society- the nail.

Before the Ancient Romans invented nails, builders use sophisticated interlocking “puzzle” strategies to join pieces of wood together. Later on, Romans were able to fitly construct more solid structures by casting and moulding metals into the small, sharp objects you identify as nails. The pointed end of a nail is called the point, the shaft is called the shank, and the flattened part is called the head.

Out of the many uses of nails, there are three (3) major importance of nails which are listed below.

Nail is an important element in the building and construction industries, which are fast growing. During the American Revolution, England was the largest manufacturer of nails in the world. Nails were expensive and difficult to obtain in the American colonies. As such, abandoned houses were sometimes deliberately burned down to allow the recovery of used nails from the ashes. This was and is the extent to which nails were and are important in society.

Aside from the nail being used for structural connections, it can be used for cladding. Cladding is any material used to cover a structure’s exterior. It is usually not part of the structural frame, as it does not support the building’s weight. The stainless steel nails are used for cladding. These nails are used to enhance the building’s appearance.

Finally, nails are sometimes inscribed with incantations or signs intended for the religious or mystical benefit and used at shrines or on the doors of houses for protection.

Tailors often use it for holding their threads (for easy access). They are also used to hang objects, like bags, calendars, etc., in many homes and schools. They are also used for interior panelling and cabinet work.

In summary, the nail, although given less attention, contributes to the growth of the building and construction industries, helps to enhance the appearance of buildings through cladding and is used for protection by traditional worshippers.