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It is thought the Ancient Greeks originally used ramps to move materials and build structures but after the development of the winch and pulley hoist, crane-like structures replaced them. Archaeologists have found distinctive cuttings for lifting tongs on the stone blocks of Greek temples. These crane-like tools were powered by men and donkeys.

The Romans took the crane-like tool that the Greeks had invented and set about improving it in order to lift heavier loads. A simple Roman crane featured a single-beam jib, a rope, a winch and three pulleys. The largest of the Roman cranes, the Polyspastos, could lift a max of 3,000kg and required three ropes, five pulleys and four men.

Medieval times saw the return of the treadwheel to power cranes. Treadwheel cranes were put to use at harbours, mines and building sites around Europe as they offered a cost-effective and efficient way to vertically transport goods. During this period, the crane was a crucial tool in the construction of the many European Gothic cathedrals.

As the Industrial Revolution took a firm hold, cranes could be cast from iron and steel. In 1838, the industrialist and businessman William Armstrong designed the first hydraulic water powered crane. From there we have developed mobile cranes, tower cranes, crawler cranes, telescopic cranes and rough-terrain cranes. Modern-day cranes have enabled us to create some of the world’s tallest structures, from the Empire State Building to the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

Created: Mon, 26 Aug 2024, Updated: Mon, 26 Aug 2024