Early Crane Evolution
Over 4000 years ago, early Egyptians made the first recorded version of a crane. The original apparatus was referred to as a shaduf and was first used to transport water. The crane was made out of a long pivoting 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.
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 rotating base. The wheel or the treadmill was a power-driven operation which had a drum with a rope that wrapped around it. This rope also had a hook that was attached to a pulley at the top of the boom and carried the weight.
Cranes were utilized extensively during the Middle Ages to build the enormous cathedrals in Europe. These devices were also used to unload and load ships within major ports. Over time, significant developments in crane design 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, thus greatly increasing the equipment's range of motion. Following the 16th century, each side of a rotating housing which 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 quickly changed. At the turn of the century, electric motors and internal combustion or IC engines emerged. In addition, cranes became designed out of cast iron and steel rather than wood. The new designs proved more efficient and longer lasting. They can obviously run longer too with their new power sources and hence finish bigger tasks in less time.