Who Invented the Cordless Drill

Before lithium-ion batteries and brushless motors, drills were bulky, corded, and limited by power outlets. So who sparked the cordless revolution?

The first cordless drill was invented in 1961 and the credit goes to the Black and Decker company. According to the Commercial Motor Archives, the model number of this drill was the C.601 fin. Their new drill type was sold to large commercial and industrial companies, so was not available to the general public.

Until that moment, only manual or electric corded drills were available to the general public. The cordless drill from B&D was the first of its type to be powered by batteries. There were four Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) batteries  which were placed into the handle of the drill.

There was also a charger which took around 16 hours to fully charge the battery. It also had a faster charge option which took 10 hours. The battery pack had a 400 charge lifetime and would then need to be replaced. That is the first known cordless drill to be invented.

This c.601 fin cordless drill cost £28 in 1961. In today’s value that would be £600, so that probably explains why it was only sold to large industrial business.

Evolution of Cordless Drills

Modern cordless drills now offer:

• Interchangeable batteries
• Digital torque control
• Compact designs for tight spaces

Why It Matters to DIYers

Cordless drills changed how we:

• Assemble furniture
• Install shelves
• Build garden structures
• Work in remote or awkward spaces

They’re now essential for both beginners and pros—offering freedom, flexibility, and power without the plug.

First Cordless Drills for the Public at Large

We know that Black and Decker invented, made and sold the first cordless drill. However, it was the Makita company who made the first cordless drill available to the general public. According to the Makita website they made the 6500D battery powered drill which was rechargeable. However, it was not 100% cordless as it had a short cord connecting it to the battery pack.  So although that made it portable it was not fully cordless as we understand cordless tools today.

Since then, many other well known tool brands have developed their versions of the cordless drill, including Bosch, DeWalt, and Ryobi. These companies have continued to improve the cordless drill’s design, making it more powerful, longer-lasting, and even more portable.

1970

The first fully 100% cordless drill for the general public was invented by Makita in 1970 in the USA. This was called the Makita 6010D. It cost $40 in 2015 (26) and right now that would be a cost of £515 so still not a cheap option for the general public. Like all tool manufacturers it used Nickel Cadmium batteries, which would eventually be replaced with NiCad batteries.

In 2005 we would see Lithium-Ion batteries for the first time and were introduced by the Milwaukee brand. These batteries have vastly improved the functionality and power of cordless drills as we know them today.

Historic Progression of Cordless Drills

Cordless drills at the beginning were made from heavy metals with poor battery styles. It was a start and did introduce portability to areas where no electrical power was available. Compared to today’s quality, these drills only ran for a short time, the batteries discharged quickly, and battery packs had to be regularly replaced.

In today’s world lightweight plastic is used for the housings, and motors have become so much more efficient with the introduction of brushless motors. The introduction of Lithium-Ion batteries revolutionised the use of cordless power tools in general. Milwaukee were the first tool brand to use Li-Ion batteries in 2005. 

• Bosch made the first cordless drill in 1978 and were the first company to invent the cordless hammer drill in 1984
• Dewalt made their first cordless drill in 1994

Why was the Cordless Drill Invented?

The person responsible for the 1961 cordless drill was a man called Brian Hoy. He stated “cordless tools are one of the greatest tools to have come to the trade because of their eases of use.” They allowed contractors to work on buildings where no power outlets were available, especially important for smaller contractors at that time.

Today, cordless drills are simply sold off the shelf at affordable prices to the general public. The technologies have advanced and continue to be developed.

The cordless drill wasn’t just invented—it evolved. From space missions to home renovations, it’s a tool that transformed DIY forever. Whether you’re driving screws or drilling holes, you’re using decades of innovation in the palm of your hand.

Want to learn more about cordless tools? Check out:

• Cordless Drill Torque Explained
• Cordless vs Corded Power Tools
• Top 5 Cordless Drill Sets for UK DIYers

Citations

Commercial Motor Archives – Cordless Electric Drill

Wikipedia -Nickel Cadmium Batteries

Makita History – Cordless Drill for General Public

Makita Information – The 6500D cordless drill

EC Mag – History of the Electric Drill

Richmond.edu – History of cordless drills