Early Crane Evolution
The first recorded concept or kind of a crane was used by the early Egyptians over 4000 years ago. This device was known as a shaduf and was used to transport water. The crane was made out of a pivoting long beam that balanced on a vertical support. On one end a heavy weight was attached and on the other end of the beam, a bucket was connected.
During the first century, cranes were made to be powered by humans or animals that were moving on a wheel or a treadmill. These cranes had a wooden long boom referred to as a beam. The boom was attached to a base which rotates. The treadmill or the wheel was a power-driven operation that had a drum with a rope which wrapped around it. This rope also had a hook which lifted the weight and was attached to a pulley at the top of the boom.
Within Europe, the huge cathedrals established during the Middle Ages were made using cranes. Cranes were also used to load and unload ships in major ports. Over time, major crane design developments evolved. Like for instance, a horizontal boom was added to and was referred to as the jib. This boom addition allowed cranes to have the ability to pivot, therefore greatly increasing the range of motion for the machine. Following the 16th century, cranes had included two treadmills on each side of a rotating housing which held the boom.
Even until the mid-19th century, cranes continued to depend on animals and humans for power. When steam engines were developed, this all rapidly changed. At the turn of the century, IC or internal combustion engines and electric motors emerged. Moreover, cranes became designed out of cast iron and steel 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 therefore finish larger jobs in less time.