Early Crane Evolution
The first recorded idea or kind of a crane was utilized by the early Egyptians over 4000 years ago. This apparatus was referred to as 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 heavy weight was attached and on the other end of the beam, a bucket was attached.
Cranes which were made in the first century were powered by humans or by animals that were moving on a treadmill or a wheel. The crane consisted of a wooden long beam that was called a boom. The boom was connected to a base which 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 which carried the weight and was attached to a pulley at the top of the boom.
Cranes were used extensively in the Middle Ages to make the enormous cathedrals within Europe. These devices were also used to unload and load ships within major ports. Over time, significant advancements in crane design 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 greatly increasing the range of motion for the equipment. After the 16th century, each side of a rotating housing that 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 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 too with their new power sources and thus complete bigger jobs in less time.