Early Crane Evolution
The first recorded concept or type of a crane was used by the early Egyptians over 4000 years ago. This apparatus was known 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 heavy weight was attached and on the other end of the beam, a bucket was connected.
During the first century, cranes were made to be powered by humans or animals that were moving on a wheel or a treadmill. These cranes had a wooden long boom called a beam. The boom was attached to a base that rotates. The treadmill or the wheel was a power-driven operation which had a drum with a rope that wrapped around it. This rope additionally had a hook which carried the weight and was connected to a pulley at the top of the boom.
In Europe, the enormous cathedrals established during the Middle Ages were build using cranes. Cranes were also utilized to unload and load ships in major ports. Over time, significant crane design advancements evolved. For instance, a horizontal boom was added to and became known as the jib. This boom addition enabled cranes to have the ability to pivot, therefore really increasing the range of motion for the machine. Following the 16th century, each side of a rotating housing which held the boom incorporated two treadmills.
Cranes utilized humans and animals for power until the mid-19th century. This all changes quickly once steam engines were developed. At the turn of the century, IC or internal combustion engines as well as electric motors emerged. Additionally, cranes became designed out of steel and cast iron rather than wood. The new designs proved more efficient and longer lasting. They could obviously run longer too with their new power sources and hence complete bigger jobs in less time.