The Lost Code

Foreplane

Early 20th century
Wood, iron
H. 18 cm
L. 55.8 cm
W. 7.8 cm
Also known as a ‘jack plane,' this member of the plane family has a sharpened, round blade for thick, straight woodshavings. It was used to smooth wood. The tool is made up of a wooden block called a barrel, a handle, a blade, an iron cap, and a wedge to keep the blade and cap in place. It was manufactured by Brookes & Sons of New York, U.S.A.
Musée de la civilisation Collection, donated by Aimé Desautels, 96-215

Ox Yoke

19th century
Wood, iron
H. 19.3 cm
L. 1.35 m
Before the advent of motorized machinery, oxen and horses were the driving force that powered farm vehicles and agriculture equipment like plows, harrows, and harvesters. This double ox yoke—a ‘bow' yoke, as opposed to a ‘head' yoke—was used to attach two oxen together. It was used on animals without horns or whose horns were unsuited to head yokes. A wooden crosspiece was placed across the animal's withers, with a fastener placed over the shoulders and supported by the ribcage. However, because of their shape, bow yokes tended to choke the animals, preventing them from pulling with full force.
Musée de la civilisation Collection, 76-995