Early Crane Evolution
The very first recorded concept or type of a crane was used by the early Egyptians more than 4000 years ago. This device was known as a shaduf and was utilized to transport water. The crane was made out of a long pivoting beam which balanced on a vertical support. On one end a bucket was connected and on the other end of the beam, a heavy weight was attached.
Cranes which were built in the first century were powered by humans or by animals that were moving on a treadmill or a wheel. The crane consisted of a long wooden beam that was called a boom. The boom was attached to a rotating base. The wheel or the treadmill was a power-driven operation that had a drum with a rope that wrapped around it. This rope additionally had a hook that was connected to a pulley at the top of the boom and carried the weight.
Cranes were used extensively in the Middle Ages to make the huge cathedrals in Europe. These devices were also used to load and unload ships within key ports. Eventually, major advancements in crane design evolved. Like 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, thus really increasing the range of motion for the machinery. After the 16th century, each side of a rotating housing which held the boom incorporated two treadmills.
Cranes used animals and humans for power until the mid-19th century. This all changes quickly when steam engines were developed. At the turn of the century, electric motors as well as internal combustion or IC engines emerged. Additionally, cranes became designed out of steel and cast iron rather than wood. The new designs proved more efficient and longer lasting. They can obviously run longer as well with their new power sources and hence carry out larger tasks in less time.