Chiodo is the Italian word for “nail.” While historians and archaeologists believe the first nail-like tools were used by the Homo Sapiens and the great Egyptians knew them, too, the first archaeology-attested signs of their use belong to Roman times and it was them, our ancient, sandal-clad ancestors, who made this now ubiquitous object mainstream. It was the Romans who began producing nails in large quantities, to be employed especially in construction. 

Curiously, Roman nails had strong ties with the army, for more than one reason. It was common for legions that were to settle for a relatively long time in newly acquired provinces to have their own blacksmith.