Early Crane Evolution
The first recorded concept or type of a crane was used by the early Egyptians more than 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 connected and on the other end of the beam, a bucket was connected.
Cranes that were made in the first century were powered by animals or by humans that were moving on a treadmill or a wheel. The crane consisted of a wooden long beam that was known as a boom. 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 which carried the weight and was attached to a pulley at the top of the boom.
In Europe, the huge cathedrals established in the Middle Ages were build using cranes. Cranes were also utilized to unload and load ships within main ports. Over time, significant advancements in crane design evolved. Like 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 really increasing the machine'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 rely on animals and humans for power. When steam engines were developed, this all rapidly changed. At the turn of the century, electric motors and internal combustion or IC engines emerged. Cranes also 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 tasks in less time.