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 called a shaduf and was utilized 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 connected and on the other end of the beam, a bucket was connected.
Cranes which 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 that was called a boom. The boom was connected to a rotating base. The wheel or the treadmill was a power-driven operation which had a drum with a rope that 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 during the Middle Ages to make the enormous cathedrals in Europe. These devices were also used to unload and load ships within main ports. Over time, significant crane design advancements evolved. For example, a horizontal boom was added to and was called the jib. This boom addition allowed cranes to have the ability to pivot, hence really increasing the range of motion for the equipment. After the 16th century, cranes had incorporated two treadmills on each side of a rotating housing that held the boom.
Cranes used animals and humans for power until the mid-19th century. This all changes quickly once steam engines were developed. At the turn of the century, electric motors and IC or internal combustion engines emerged. Cranes also became designed out of steel and cast iron rather than wood. The new designs proved longer lasting and more efficient. They could obviously run longer also with their new power sources and hence finish bigger tasks in less time.