Early Crane Evolution
Over 4000 years ago, early Egyptians created the very first recorded type of a crane. The original device was known as a shaduf and was initially used to transport water. The crane was made out of a long pivoting beam which balanced on a vertical support. On one end a heavy weight was attached and on the other end of the beam, a bucket was attached.
Cranes that were built during the first century were powered by humans or by animals that were moving on a wheel or a treadmill. The crane consisted of a long wooden beam which was known as a boom. The boom was attached to a rotating base. The treadmill or the wheel was a power-driven operation which had a drum with a rope that wrapped around it. This rope additionally had a hook that was connected to a pulley at the top of the boom and lifted the weight.
Cranes were used extensively throughout the Middle Ages to make the enormous cathedrals in Europe. These devices were also used to unload and load ships in key ports. Eventually, major advancements in crane design evolved. For example, a horizontal boom was added to and was called the jib. This boom addition enabled cranes to have the ability to pivot, therefore greatly increasing the range of motion for the equipment. Following the 16th century, each side of a rotating housing which held the boom incorporated two treadmills.
Even until the mid-19th century, cranes continued to rely on animals and humans for power. Once steam engines were developed, this all rapidly changed. At the turn of the century, electric motors and internal combustion or IC engines emerged. What's more, cranes became designed out of steel and cast iron as opposed to wood. The new designs proved more efficient and longer lasting. They could obviously run longer as well with their new power sources and hence finish larger tasks in less time.