Early Crane Evolution
The first recorded concept or type of a crane was used by the early Egyptians over 4000 years ago. This device was known as a shaduf and was utilized to transport water. The crane was made out of a long pivoting 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 built 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 connected to a base that rotates. The treadmill or the wheel was a power-driven operation which had a drum with a rope which wrapped around it. This rope additionally had a hook which was attached to a pulley at the top of the boom and carried the weight.
Cranes were used extensively throughout the Middle Ages to build the huge cathedrals within Europe. These devices were also used to unload and load ships within major ports. Over time, major crane design developments evolved. Like for example, a horizontal boom was added to and was called the jib. This boom addition enabled cranes to have the ability to pivot, thus greatly increasing the machine's range of motion. Following the 16th century, cranes had incorporated two treadmills on each side of a rotating housing that held the boom.
Even until the mid-19th century, cranes continued to rely on humans and animals for power. When steam engines were developed, this all quickly changed. At the turn of the century, Internal combustion or IC engines as well as electric motors emerged. Cranes also became designed out of steel and cast iron rather than wood. The new designs proved more efficient and longer lasting. They can obviously run longer also with their new power sources and hence finish larger tasks in less time.