Early Crane Evolution
Over 4000 years ago, early Egyptians made the very first recorded type of a crane. The original apparatus was known as a shaduf and was first utilized to transport water. The crane was made out of a pivoting long beam that balanced on a vertical support. On one end a bucket was attached and on the other end of the beam, a heavy weight was attached.
Cranes that were built in the first century were powered by animals or by humans that were moving on a treadmill or a wheel. The crane consisted of a long wooden beam which was referred to as a boom. The boom was connected to a rotating base. The treadmill or the wheel was a power-driven operation that had a drum with a rope which wrapped around it. This rope also 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 enormous cathedrals in Europe. These devices were also used to unload and load ships within key ports. Over time, significant crane design advancements evolved. For example, a horizontal boom was added to and became known as the jib. This boom addition allowed cranes to have the ability to pivot, therefore greatly increasing the machine's range of motion. After the 16th century, each side of a rotating housing which held the boom incorporated two treadmills.
Cranes utilized animals and humans for power until the mid-19th century. This all changes rapidly once steam engines were developed. At the turn of the century, electric motors as well as IC or internal combustion engines emerged. In addition, cranes became designed out of steel and cast iron as opposed to wood. The new designs proved longer lasting and more efficient. They can obviously run longer also with their new power sources and therefore carry out larger tasks in less time.