Early Crane Evolution
The first recorded idea or kind 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 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.
Cranes that were built 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 long wooden beam that was known 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 additionally had a hook which lifted the weight and was connected to a pulley at the top of the boom.
Within Europe, the enormous cathedrals established during the Middle Ages were made using cranes. Cranes were also utilized to load and unload ships in major ports. Over time, major advancements in crane design evolved. For example, a horizontal boom was added to and became known as the jib. This boom addition enabled cranes to have the ability to pivot, thus greatly increasing the range of motion for the machinery. Following the 16th century, each side of a rotating housing that held the boom incorporated two treadmills.
Cranes utilized humans and animals for power until the mid-19th century. This all changes quickly when steam engines were developed. At the turn of the century, electric motors and IC or internal combustion engines emerged. Furthermore, cranes became designed out of steel and cast iron rather than wood. The new designs proved longer lasting and more efficient. They could obviously run longer as well with their new power sources and therefore carry out bigger jobs in less time.