| The History of Cranes |
Publisher: KHL
ISBN: 0 9530219-1-2
Authors: Oliver Bachman, Heinz-Herbert Cohrs, Tim Whiteman, Alfred Wislicki
Book published 1997, 264 pages
Review Date: August 2010
Books, DVD and Software Index
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| This hardback book is one of KHL's Classic Construction Series. Most of the series have been published in German and English.
The authors have attempted to cover the history of cranes and they have started with a narrative about the pyramids, and Greek and Roman times and moved through the period up to the 1500s. A variety of prints illustrate the text. The period from 1500 to 1899 is discussed in an easy style and includes more prints and some early photographs, all of which are interesting.
From 1900 onwards the history is in more depth and includes many photos of old cranes, some of which are bizarre, but they are fascinating to see. All types are covered including rail and dockyard cranes.
Half the book covers the period from 1950 onwards and an increasing number of colour photos show cranes from all the well-known manufacturers, and some from forgotten names. Various technical developments are tracked through the narrative although the book does not try to be a technical work so it is an easy read.
There is no doubt that this is an interesting book for anyone interested in engineering history, and cranes in particular. The photos are great and only miss out by not all having a year that each photo was taken included. Over 400 photos are used, and yet even so there are many famous machines such as the Manitowoc 4100 series that do not appear. The main focus of the book is Europe and North American cranes, and as it was written at the end of the 1990's the recent growth of lifting capacities and increase in electronic controls obviously do not feature. Overall, it is a highly recommended book for anyone with an interest in the subject.
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