Early Crane Evolution
More than 4000 years ago, early Egyptians created the 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 long pivoting beam which balanced on a vertical support. On one end a heavy weight was connected and on the other end of the beam, a bucket was connected.
Cranes that were made during the first century were powered by animals or by humans that were moving on a treadmill or a wheel. The crane consisted of a wooden long beam which was referred to as a boom. 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 that wrapped around it. This rope also had a hook that was attached to a pulley at the top of the boom and lifted the weight.
Cranes were used extensively throughout the Middle Ages to make the huge cathedrals within Europe. These devices were also designed to unload and load ships within main ports. Over time, major crane design advancements evolved. Like for example, a horizontal boom was added to and was referred to as the jib. This boom addition allowed cranes to have the ability to pivot, hence greatly increasing the range of motion for the equipment. Following the 16th century, cranes had incorporated two treadmills on each side of a rotating housing which held the boom.
Even until the mid-19th century, cranes continued to rely on animals and humans for power. When steam engines were developed, this all rapidly changed. At the turn of the century, IC or internal combustion engines as well as electric motors emerged. Also, cranes became designed out of cast iron and steel rather than wood. The new designs proved longer lasting and more efficient. They can obviously run longer also with their new power sources and thus complete larger jobs in less time.