History of Elevators

Early Beginnings

The concept of lifting people and goods has been around for thousands of years. Ancient civilizations like the Egyptians and Romans used simple hoists powered by people or animals. These early elevators were mainly ropes and pulleys, often turned by human or animal power.

3rd Century B.C.

One of the earliest known elevators was built by the Greek mathematician Archimedes around 236 B.C. His design was a platform lifted by ropes wound around a drum, turned by manual labor.

The Middle Ages to the Industrial Revolution

For a long time, elevators were mostly used for moving goods rather than people. They were often powered by humans, animals, or water wheels.

17th century: Simple passenger elevators called “flying chairs” were invented for royalty in Europe. 1743: Louis XV of France had a “flying chair” installed in Versailles for his personal use.

18th Century: Industrial Age Developments

In the 1700s, the Industrial Revolution sparked significant improvements. Elevators began to be powered by steam engines, making them more powerful and reliable. They were still mostly used for lifting materials in factories and mines.

1853: The Birth of the Modern Elevator

The biggest breakthrough came in 1853 when Elisha Otis invented the safety elevator. He designed a braking system that automatically locked the platform in place if the hoisting rope broke. This made elevators safe enough for everyday use in buildings. Otis’s safety demonstration at the New York World’s Fair was a game-changer and led to elevators becoming more common in buildings.

19th Century: Rise of Passenger Elevators

With safety now ensured, elevators began appearing in hotels, office buildings, and department stores. The first commercial passenger elevator was installed in 1857 in New York City’s Haughwout Building. It was powered by steam and traveled at a speed of 40 feet per minute.

Late 1800s: Electric Elevators

The introduction of electric power brought major improvements. In 1880, German inventor Werner von Siemens developed the first electric elevator. This innovation led to faster, more reliable elevators that could carry more people.

20th Century: Skyscrapers and Speed

As cities grew, buildings got taller, leading to more demand for fast, efficient elevators. In the early 1900s, automatic controls were introduced, making elevators easier to use without operators. By the mid-1900s, skyscrapers became common, and elevators reached new heights—both literally and figuratively.

1970s-Present

In recent decades, elevators have become even more advanced. Modern elevators use computer systems to manage traffic efficiently, while destination control systems allow passengers to select floors before entering the elevator. New technologies like magnetic levitation (maglev) are also being explored to make elevators faster and more energy-efficient.

Fun Elevator Facts

The tallest elevator in the world is in the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. It travels 504 meters (1,654 feet)!

Some elevators in Japan can detect earthquakes and automatically move to the nearest floor for safety.

The fastest elevator in the world is in the Shanghai Tower, moving at 20.5 meters per second (46 mph)!