Scaffolding has been an integral part of the Building/Construction trade for several thousand years. Even the Great Pyramids of Egypt had an early version of Scaffolding around parts of it to help build maybe the most magnificent structures on the planet.
Theres evidence of Scaffolding used in parts of ancient Rome, Greece and even as far a field as China and South America, back when some of the colossal ancient wonders of the world were built.

Scaffolding started as timber logs lashed with rope/hemp/cloth or hammered with iron nails together to build basic 'skeletons' that would be lapped with flat timber boards for Stone Masons, Painters, Thatchers, Metalsmiths and even Artists to use as a platform to apply their skills.
There it stayed, humbly as wood on wood, until after World War II.

In 1950: After WWII, London and other parts of the country were nigh-on destroyed by Germany and its elite air force - The Luftwafer.
Huge rebuilding projects were planned and there was an apparent market for a more modern, stronger and practical type of Scaffolding to be invented. (Though there is some evidence of it being used even earlier then that.)
Thus: Tube and Fitting was born.

Since then it has been one of the most respected and most revered trades in the Construction Industry.
Many other forms of Scaffolding now exist, as well as Tube and Fitting (used mainly in Britain), including: CupLok, Haki, Layher and KwikStage all of which are commonly used throughout the world.

In modern times, Scaffolding has become the most important part of the Construction Industry, with hundreds of thousands of tons being transported, erected, struck and modified around the world everyday.
Many other trades are almost now solely dependant on Scaffolding to be able to work themselves - This simple, yet incredibly complex idea has become the access/egress and general safety tool of choice for the entire Construction Industry.
British Scaffolding also requires tradesmen to be fully qualified and trained under CITB and CISRS certifications.
British trained, qualified Scaffolders are now highly sought after, for their expertise and experience around the world to bring other countries upto speed in Health and Safety.

Its a hard job, a dangerous job, a loved job.
One that isn't recognised as an 'official' trade, due to having little to no representation in the higher circles of Construction... but now with the SCCR (Scaffolders Confederation for Consultation Rights) starting to fight our corner and working with the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) and NASC (The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation) - the future is bright for Scaffolding and all those who work in the game.

--Pacific Scaffold Engineering Co., Ltd