Short answers, pulled from the story.
The first shovel used in the Neolithic age was a large animal's shoulder blade. This crude instrument allowed early farmers to turn the earth and cultivate crops before the invention of purpose-built metal tools.
Frederick Winslow Taylor began his studies on the shovel in the 1890s. He conducted time and motion studies to differentiate the motions of manual labor and developed a system where workers used different-sized scoops for each material based on its density.
The British manufactured the first entrenching tools in 1908. These specialized shovels were subsequently used by German forces in both World War I and World War II for digging defensive positions and moving earth under fire.
Shovel handles are typically crafted from wood, specifically varieties such as ash or maple, or from glass-reinforced plastic known as fiberglass. These materials provide a balance of flexibility and resistance to breakage for the user.
The hand shovel was used as essential equipment in both World War I and World War II. These tools served as vital components of the soldier's kit for digging defensive positions and moving earth under fire.