Early Crane Evolution
The very first recorded concept or kind of a crane was utilized by the early Egyptians over 4000 years ago. This apparatus was referred to as a shaduf and was utilized 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.
Cranes that were built during the first century were powered by animals or by humans that were moving on a wheel or a treadmill. The crane consisted of a wooden long beam that was referred to as a boom. The boom was connected to a base which rotates. 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 was connected to a pulley at the top of the boom and carried the weight.
Cranes were used extensively during the Middle Ages to make the enormous cathedrals within Europe. These devices were also used to load and unload ships in main ports. Eventually, significant crane design advancements evolved. 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 greatly increasing the range of motion for the equipment. 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 humans and animals for power. Once steam engines were developed, this all quickly changed. At the turn of the century, electric motors as well as internal combustion or IC engines emerged. Cranes also 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 carry out bigger tasks in less time.