The ancient Egyptians used levers in building the pyramids. Although it is not known exactly how they erected the great obelisks, it's a pretty sure bet that they used levers in some way.

In 1550 B.C., more than 1,200 years after the Great Pyramids were finished ... with huge monuments that pointed to the sky. Called obelisks, these massive, pointed shafts of polished granite ...