Builders have long used the inclined plane , levers , and pulleys to place solid building materials .
These labor - saving devices did not lend themselves to earthmoving , which required digging , raising , moving , and placing loose materials .
Builders have long used the inclined plane , levers , and pulleys to place solid building materials , but these labor - saving devices did not lend themselves to earthmoving , which required digging , raising , moving , and placing loose materials .