The earliest known examples of the plane date from Roman times. The development of the plane was a very important step in wood working. Prior to the development of the plane, the cutting and smoothing of a board was done with a chisel or anadz.

The cutting action of the plane is controlled more easily because of the blade's relationship to the sole. The types of work the plane does can be grouped into three groups: shaping or sizing, fitting, and finishing.

The rough work of shaping or sizing is done with the jack or the fore plane. Fitting work consists of preparing joints for assembly, and the long jointer plane, the try plane, and the rabbeting plane are all used for this.

Finishing work is the final smoothing of the surface prior to varnishing or painting, and the short and appropriately named smooth plane is used for this.