Early Crane Evolution
Over 4000 years ago, early Egyptians created the very first recorded type of a crane. The original apparatus was referred to as a shaduf and was initially used to transport water. The crane was made out of a long pivoting 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 that were built during 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 attached to a rotating base. The wheel or the treadmill was a power-driven operation which had a drum with a rope which wrapped around it. This rope additionally had a hook that was attached to a pulley at the top of the boom and lifted the weight.
Within Europe, the enormous cathedrals established during the Middle Ages were build using cranes. Cranes were also used to load and unload ships in major ports. Eventually, major developments in crane design evolved. For example, a horizontal boom was added to and was referred to as the jib. This boom addition enabled cranes to have the ability to pivot, therefore really increasing the equipment's range of motion. Following 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 humans and animals for power. Once steam engines were developed, this all rapidly changed. At the turn of the century, electric motors as well as internal combustion or IC engines emerged. Additionally, cranes became designed out of steel and cast iron rather than wood. The new designs proved longer lasting and more efficient. They can obviously run longer too with their new power sources and therefore complete larger tasks in less time.