Early Crane Evolution
The first recorded concept or type of a crane was used by the early Egyptians over 4000 years ago. This device was referred to as a shaduf and was utilized to transport water. The crane was made out of a pivoting long 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 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 wooden long beam that was called a boom. The boom was connected to a base which rotates. The wheel or the treadmill 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 connected to a pulley at the top of the boom.
Within Europe, the enormous cathedrals established during the Middle Ages were build utilizing cranes. Cranes were also utilized to load and unload ships within major ports. Over time, major developments in crane design evolved. Like for instance, a horizontal boom was added to and became known as the jib. This boom addition allowed cranes to have the ability to pivot, thus really increasing the range of motion for the machinery. Following the 16th century, cranes had incorporated two treadmills on each side of a rotating housing that held the boom.
Cranes used animals and humans for power until the mid-19th century. This all changes rapidly once steam engines were developed. At the turn of the century, electric motors as well as internal combustion or IC engines emerged. Cranes also became designed out of steel and cast iron rather than wood. The new designs proved longer lasting and more efficient. They can obviously run longer also with their new power sources and therefore carry out bigger jobs in less time.