Definition:Compass and Straightedge Construction/Historical Note

Historical Note on Compass and Straightedge Construction
Some sources suggest that it was the Greek mathematician who imposed the restriction that compass and straightedge were the only tools that were "philosophically suitable" for geometric constructions.

Others suggest that this restriction originated with Plato's Academy.

The fact that the constructions made in implicitly impose such a restriction suggest that  himself may well have been an Academy student.

However, when necessary, the Greeks were quite ready to use other tools to achieve constructions that cannot be made with just a straightedge and a compass.