Early Crane Evolution
The first recorded idea or version of a crane was utilized by the early Egyptians over 4000 years ago. This device was called 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 humans or animals that were moving on a treadmill or a wheel. These cranes had a wooden long boom called a beam. The boom was attached to a rotating base. The treadmill or the wheel was a power-driven operation that had a drum with a rope that wrapped around it. This rope also had a hook that lifted the weight and was attached to a pulley at the top of the boom.
Cranes were used extensively in the Middle Ages to make the enormous cathedrals in Europe. These devices were also designed to load and unload ships within key ports. Over time, significant advancements in crane design evolved. Like for example, a horizontal boom was added to and was called the jib. This boom addition enabled cranes to have the ability to pivot, thus really increasing the machine's range of motion. 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 depend on animals and humans for power. When steam engines were developed, this all rapidly changed. At the turn of the century, Internal combustion or IC engines as well as electric motors emerged. Also, cranes became designed out of cast iron and steel as opposed to wood. The new designs proved more efficient and longer lasting. They could obviously run longer as well with their new power sources and hence complete bigger jobs in less time.