Early Crane Evolution
The very 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 which balanced on a vertical support. On one end a bucket was attached and on the other end of the beam, a heavy weight was connected.
Cranes that were made during 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 which was called a boom. The boom was connected to a base that rotates. 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 utilized extensively during the Middle Ages to make the huge cathedrals in Europe. These devices were also used to load and unload ships within key ports. Over time, 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, hence really increasing the range of motion for the machine. Following the 16th century, each side of a rotating housing that held the boom incorporated two treadmills.
Cranes utilized humans and animals for power until the mid-19th century. This all changes rapidly once steam engines were developed. At the turn of the century, IC or internal combustion engines and electric motors emerged. Moreover, cranes became designed out of steel and cast iron as opposed to wood. The new designs proved longer lasting and more efficient. They could obviously run longer as well with their new power sources and thus complete bigger tasks in less time.