Early Crane Evolution
The first recorded concept or version 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 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 connected.
Cranes which were made during the first century were powered by animals or by humans that were moving on a wheel or a treadmill. The crane consisted of a long wooden beam that was known as a boom. 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 which was connected to a pulley at the top of the boom and lifted the weight.
In Europe, the enormous cathedrals established during the Middle Ages were made using cranes. Cranes were also used to unload and load ships in key ports. Over time, significant developments in crane design evolved. 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, thus really increasing the machine's range of motion. After the 16th century, cranes had included two treadmills on each side of a rotating housing that 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 quickly changed. At the turn of the century, electric motors and IC or internal combustion engines emerged. Moreover, cranes became designed out of cast iron and steel as opposed to wood. The new designs proved longer lasting and more efficient. They can obviously run longer as well with their new power sources and thus carry out bigger tasks in less time.