Early Crane Evolution
The first recorded concept or type 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 long pivoting beam that 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.
In the first century, cranes were made to be powered by animals or humans that were moving on a wheel or a treadmill. These cranes had a wooden long boom referred to as a beam. The boom was attached to a rotating base. 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 which carried the weight and was connected to a pulley at the top of the boom.
Within Europe, the enormous cathedrals established in the Middle Ages were build using cranes. Cranes were also used to unload and load ships in main ports. Over time, significant crane design advancements 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, hence greatly increasing the equipment's range of motion. Following the 16th century, each side of a rotating housing that held the boom incorporated two treadmills.
Even until the mid-19th century, cranes continued to depend on animals and humans for power. Once steam engines were developed, this all rapidly changed. At the turn of the century, Internal combustion or IC engines and electric motors emerged. Cranes also became designed out of steel and cast iron 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 finish larger tasks in less time.