Early Crane Evolution
The first recorded idea or version of a crane was used by the early Egyptians more than 4000 years ago. This device was referred to as 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 attached and on the other end of the beam, a bucket was attached.
Cranes that were made in the first century were powered by animals or by humans that were moving on a wheel or a treadmill. The crane consisted of a wooden long beam that was known as a boom. The boom was connected to a base that rotates. 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 which was attached to a pulley at the top of the boom and carried the weight.
Cranes were used extensively during the Middle Ages to make the huge cathedrals within Europe. These devices were also designed to unload and load ships within key ports. Over time, major developments in crane design evolved. Like for instance, a horizontal boom was added to and became known as 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 which held the boom incorporated two treadmills.
Cranes used animals and humans for power until the mid-19th century. This all changes quickly when steam engines were developed. At the turn of the century, electric motors as well as IC or internal combustion engines emerged. Cranes also became designed out of cast iron and steel rather than wood. The new designs proved more efficient and longer lasting. They could obviously run longer too with their new power sources and thus finish bigger tasks in less time.