Ancient History Devices for lifting or moving goods were known in antiquity. Already in the early stages of development of human society has become necessary in devices for lifting heavy loads (fallen trees, heavy stone blocks). Lifting and moving a very large weight loads during construction in the ancient world, for example, the construction of the pyramids of Cheops more than 2000 years BC. e., waterworks in ancient China, in the valley of the Yellow River, built in ancient Rome, have been impossible without the simplest of lifting devices. The earliest hoisting means, apparently, were the levers, wheels and inclined plane, allows users to raise and move loads without the use of intermediate parts (chains, ropes), linking the lifting device with the load. Rollers, levers, inclined planes (ramps) were used, apparently, still in the construction of ancient stone buildings - dolmens. With their help, transporting and installing the huge sculptures of the Assyrian palaces and temples and huge stone slabs at the construction of the pyramids in ancient Egypt. Much later came the device, which load lifted and moved by the intermediate element (rope, flexible branches of a tree), these devices include gate block. The ancient Greeks used for the lifting device "crane" (in Greek - "geranos"). "Crane" means in German "crane", hence the Russian name "crane" for various lifting devices. Lift "geranos" with manual transmission used in the V. BC. e. for the erection of walls, as well as theatrical performances to rise in the course of the play of actors and theatrical props. Lever Hoists (prototypes of cranes) have been used for lifting water in ancient China, India and Eastern countries. Long before our time of reckoning in China used the horizontal and vertical gates with manual transmission. Later the ancient Greeks were put into practice ore-lifting, transportation and building horse-collars, and compound pulley hoist installation, consisting of unfastening the ropes of inclined columns with constant or variable angles to the horizon and a pulley suspended from the poles of the simplest catching device for piece goods . Further improvement of these facilities by the Romans led to the creation of rotary cranes. According to the description of Vitruvius, relating to the I century BC, these cranes are strengthened on solid wooden beams, which could turn on rollers in any direction. The rise of such cargo cranes could be made to a height of 12 m, they were given the operation of a manual gate or through a treadmill. In ancient Rome, first appeared as kletevye lifts - prototypes of modern lifts. Western Europe In Western Europe in the XI-XII centuries. going further development of technology. In XIV-XV centuries. in connection with the development of trade and navigation and the growth of mining and metallurgical industry has been some improvement of lifting devices. As the mechanical design of hoisting means improved. Established winch and pulley that allowed by the combination of them to move and lift heavy loads at high speed and with less effort. Connecting the gate with a block or pulley block set up the main link lifting device - mechanism for lifting and gave impetus to the emergence of different types of construction cranes (slewing, portable). Interesting examples of past work for lifting pulleys, winches and blocks can be found in the history of technological development of our country. The appearance of distinct structures of cranes to the period XIV-XV centuries. When in Europe (Italy, Germany, Czech Republic) were established rotary, jib cranes, chain and backbone of the tree and horse-driven treadmill through. In connection with the industrial development of Europe crane structure was developed in the late XVIII and early XIX century. after the invention of the steam engine (Watt, 1763). The peculiarity of lifting devices, installations and devices put into operation before the XIX century. Was the use of wood as a building material for critical parts (cores, counters, gates, etc.). For example, the rim and the teeth of gears in these mechanisms and the installations were made of wood. Were applied only length parts such as axles, ratchets, hooks. Replacing wood with metal begins to be relatively common only in the first quarter of the XIX century.