Timeline Of Crane Evolution

One particular machine that is heavily used in the construction industry is the crane. This machine is generally used for lifting and moving heavy loads and materials horizontally and vertically. It is equipped with hoists, ropes, chains and it creates mechanical advantage to lift and move loads beyond the human capacity. There are many different crane types available on the market, from small portable cranes to large tower cranes. Each model has its own unique characteristics, specifications and it is used for a particular lifting task. Beside construction, the cranes are used in many different industry sectors, like manufacturing and transport industry. The cranes make any lifting and construction job to be completed quickly and effectively. These machines have been used since ancient times, and the following text will present you a brief history about the crane evolution and how the crane was used throughout the years.

The first lifting machine was invented by the ancient Greeks in the 6^th century B.C. Archeological evidence show that the ancient Greek temples and the Egyptian pyramids were constructed with the help of an ancient crane model. The ancient crane models were consisted of a rope which was passed over a pulley. The single pulley crane models had no capability to create mechanical advantage, and human effort was used to lift heavy items and materials. One major improvement in the crane design emerged in the 4^th century B.C. and that was the compound pulley. With the help of the compound pulley the cranes were able to create mechanical advantage, and this pulley was a combination of several pulleys placed in a block.

The heavy use of the cranes came during the ancient Roman Empire. The ancient Romans adopted the Greek crane model and created even much better crane capable to lift even more heavy materials and items. The Roman Trispastos was one specific crane model consisted of one beam of jib, winch, ropes and a block with three pulleys. It has been calculated that the Trispastos was capable to lift items up to 150kg. The Romans developed also more powerful cranes which were known as Pentaspastos and Polyspastos. These ancient cranes were capable to lift loads up to 3000kg and 6000kg.

During the Middle Ages, the treadwheel crane was invented and heavily used for the construction of different kind of solid structures. The earliest treadwheel crane was used in France around 1225. Soon after France, treadwheel and harbor crane models were used in Utrecht, Antwerp, Brugge, Hamburg and other major cities in Europe. The typical areas of application for these crane models were the harbors, mines and construction sites. The treadwheel crane played a vital role in the construction of the Gothic cathedrals all over Europe during the Middle Ages.

The modern cranes, similar like the ones used today, were designed and constructed during the Industrial Revolution. The first hydraulic water powered crane was invented by Sir William Armstrong in 1838. His model consisted a ram which was closed in a cylinder and a fluid inside the cylinder. One hydraulic crane designed by Armstrong is still standing in Venice in Italy. This crane was heavily used until 1950. The hydraulic crane was the base for many crane models which emerged in the 20^th and 21^th century, like the tower cranes, crawler cranes, railroad crane, floating crane, aerial crane, truck-mounted crane and many other crane models.

If you are interested in buying a particular crane model, search online for available cranes for sale in Australia.