Lumbering was used way back in the olden days. Sawmills were first used in the 1600's. Up-and-down sawmills were used in the 17th-19th centries. Around 1860, some mills were turned into steam-powered mills. The steam-powered ones allow them to lumber all year, instead of just April-December because they only need water.

In the 20th century, the gasoline engine, the diesel engine, and the electronic engine came for the sawmills. These new enging spead up the process of lumbering. It uses more, but is more efficient. Today, we are still with those new engines I just listed, and we most likely will for a long time. That is the beginning of sawmills (1600's), to the  new and improved equipment of today.