Early Crane Evolution
The very first recorded concept or version of a crane was utilized 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.
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 wooden long beam which was called a boom. The boom was connected to a base that rotates. The wheel or the treadmill was a power-driven operation which had a drum with a rope which wrapped around it. This rope also had a hook that was connected to a pulley at the top of the boom and lifted the weight.
Cranes were used extensively in the Middle Ages to make the enormous cathedrals in Europe. These devices were also used to load and unload ships within main ports. Over time, major crane design advancements evolved. For instance, a horizontal boom was added to and was called the jib. This boom addition enabled cranes to have the ability to pivot, hence really increasing the equipment's range of motion. After the 16th century, cranes had included two treadmills on each side of a rotating housing that held the boom.
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, IC or internal combustion engines as well as electric motors emerged. Cranes also became designed out of steel and cast iron as opposed to wood. The new designs proved more efficient and longer lasting. They can obviously run longer as well with their new power sources and thus finish larger jobs in less time.