History of construction

: "This article describes the history of costruction tools and methods - how things were built. See history of architecture for the history of building types and styles - what things were built."

Mankind has constructed buildings and other structures since prehistory. The technology and economy of construction work has changed throughout history.

tone age construction

The first bridges made by humans were probably wooden logs placed across a stream. The first buildings were simple huts, tents and wind shelters, built by their inhabitants (see self-sufficiency). Materials were wood, hides and stone.

Ancient construction

As cities formed, division of labor and professional crafts like masonry, metalworking and woodworking emerged. Governments began to regulate construction in efforts of urban planning. Simple machines like levers and pulleys came into use, as well as nails. Arches, vaults and domes were used to create spans. In ancient Rome, concrete was invented. Occasionally, slaves were used as workforce, but not as often as depicted in popular culture (for instance, the Egyptian pyramids were built by free men). Some construction works were done as corvée.

Medieval construction

In the Middle Ages of Europe fortifications, castles and cathedrals were the greatest construction projects. Craftsmen became organized in guilds. The pile driver was invented around 1500.

Construction in the modern age

ocial trends

As society moved away from feudalism with the coming of the Renaissance and the modern age, more people began to live in cities and various urban population centers. It became necessary to build more varied, numerous and concentrated dwellings and structures for all levels of economic and political classes.

Building techniques

Bricks became a widespread building technique during the modern era, due to ease of production.

There were many tools which have grown obsolete since the advent of modern technology, but which were previously used by all builders. Some major examples are the plumb-line, the slide-rule and the drafting compass.

Industrial Revolution

The industrial revolution was manifested in new kinds of transportation installations, such as railways, canals and macadam roads. These required large amounts of investment. New construction devices included steam engines, machine tools, explosives and optical surveying.

As steel was mass-produced from the mid-19th century, it was used, in form of I-beams and reinforced concrete. Glass panes also went into mass production, and changed from luxury to every man's property.

Plumbing appeared, and gave common access to drinking water and sewage collection.

With the second industrial revolution in the early 20th century, elevators and cranes made high rise buildings and skyscrapers possible, while engineering vehicles and power tools decreased the workforce needed. Other new technologies were prefabrication and computer-aided design.

Trade unions were formed to protect construction workers' interests. Personal protective equipment such as hard hats and earmuffs also came into use.

From the 20th century, governmental construction projects were used as a part of macroeconomic stimulation policies, especially during the Great depression (see New Deal).

In the end of the 20th century, ecology, energy conservation and sustainable development have become more important issues of construction.

ee also

*History of architecture