A Brief History of Scaffolding

We all see scaffolding almost everyday, especially if you live in a city. But have you ever wondered where the idea of using scaffolding came from? Well, we’re going to take a quick look at where scaffolding all began and how it has developed over time.
​
The Start of Scaffolding
The truth about where scaffolding started is that we don’t entirely know, but what we do know, is that it was a long time ago. The earliest signs of scaffolding that we’ve found so far are over seventeen thousand years old.
 
We don’t exactly know what the scaffolding structures would have looked like, but there is evidence to suggest these did exist. Paleolithic cave paintings that were discovered in 1940 in Southern France show the earliest signs of scaffolding. Both the height of the cave paintings and sockets found in the wall suggest that some kind of early scaffolding system was used to achieve these ancient artworks.
 
Scaffolding structures were also used in more recognisable historic creations, notably the ancient Egyptians and Greeks famously using scaffolding for some of their grand structures that even stand still stand today. Testament to those who built them.
 
Scaffolding Revolution
When we fast forward to the Victorian era, there was still no industry standard when it came to scaffolding sizes or even the materials that were used to create the scaffolding structures. Many used wood or even bamboo scaffolding structures, which are still commonly used across many countries around the world today.
 
Though, a scaffolding revolution was about to happen. In 1913, Daniel Palmer Jones invented a coupling system for scaffolding which led him down a path of invention. His creations led to a standardisation across the scaffolding industry. This helped to make working with scaffolding safer for all involved.
 
Scaffolding As We Know It
Nowadays, scaffolding is a regulated industry with standardised practices used to keep those using the scaffolding safe, as well as members of the general public. As it stands, all scaffolding in the United Kingdom must meet European Standards, something that we at Rodells, of course, adhere to.

About Us
​Here at Roddells, we are a specialist works and access company that has operated since all the way back in 1898. We’re based in Hertfordshire providing scaffolding services and lightning protection, with a focus on high-quality and affordability. If you require our services, get in contact with our friendly and experienced team, who will help to find the perfect solution for you.