Early Crane Evolution
The very first recorded idea or kind of a crane was utilized by the early Egyptians more than 4000 years ago. This device was referred to as a shaduf and was used to transport water. The crane was made out of a pivoting long beam which balanced on a vertical support. On one end a bucket was connected and on the other end of the beam, a heavy weight was connected.
Cranes which 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 wooden long beam which was known as 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 that wrapped around it. This rope also had a hook which carried the weight and was connected to a pulley at the top of the boom.
In Europe, the huge cathedrals established during the Middle Ages were made utilizing cranes. Cranes were also designed to unload and load ships within main ports. Over time, major crane design developments evolved. For instance, a horizontal boom was added to and became known as the jib. This boom addition allowed cranes to have the ability to pivot, hence greatly increasing the range of motion for the machinery. 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. When steam engines were developed, this all quickly changed. At the turn of the century, electric motors as well as IC or internal combustion engines emerged. Additionally, cranes became designed out of cast iron and steel as opposed to wood. The new designs proved longer lasting and more efficient. They could obviously run longer as well with their new power sources and thus carry out bigger jobs in less time.