Early Crane Evolution
The first recorded concept or version of a crane was used by the early Egyptians more than 4000 years ago. This apparatus was called a shaduf and was used to transport water. The crane was made out of a pivoting long beam which balanced on a vertical support. On one end a bucket was connected and on the other end of the beam, a heavy weight was connected.
Cranes that were built in 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 that was called a boom. The boom was attached to a base which rotates. The wheel or the treadmill was a power-driven operation that had a drum with a rope that wrapped around it. This rope also had a hook which lifted the weight and was connected to a pulley at the top of the boom.
Cranes were utilized extensively in the Middle Ages to make the enormous cathedrals within Europe. These devices were also designed to load and unload ships in key ports. Eventually, major advancements in crane design evolved. For example, a horizontal boom was added to and became known as the jib. This boom addition allowed cranes to have the ability to pivot, thus greatly increasing the range of motion for the equipment. Following the 16th century, cranes had incorporated two treadmills on each side of a rotating housing which held the boom.
Cranes utilized humans and animals for power until the mid-19th century. This all changes quickly once steam engines were developed. At the turn of the century, electric motors as well as IC or internal combustion engines emerged. Moreover, cranes became designed out of steel and cast iron as opposed to wood. The new designs proved longer lasting and more efficient. They could obviously run longer also with their new power sources and hence carry out bigger tasks in less time.