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Elevator History

The document outlines the history and key milestones in the development of elevators over 5000 years. Some important developments include the Egyptians using counterweights and levers to lift heavy stones for pyramids around 2900 BC, Archimedes inventing the first elevator using ropes and weights around 236 BC, and Otis presenting the first safety elevator with a self-locking door in 1854. The modern electric elevator was developed in the late 19th century, with the first electric passenger elevator installed in Germany in 1878.

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349 views

Elevator History

The document outlines the history and key milestones in the development of elevators over 5000 years. Some important developments include the Egyptians using counterweights and levers to lift heavy stones for pyramids around 2900 BC, Archimedes inventing the first elevator using ropes and weights around 236 BC, and Otis presenting the first safety elevator with a self-locking door in 1854. The modern electric elevator was developed in the late 19th century, with the first electric passenger elevator installed in Germany in 1878.

Uploaded by

s swami
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Elevator history

History and origins of the elevators can be told in a timeline that spans the time of
over five thousand years. Here are some of the most important elevator related
milestones:

 2900 B.C. – The Great Pyramid of Egyptian emperor Cheops at Giza was made
from over 2 million stone cubes. Each cube weighted over 5 tons and was lifted
to the height of 481 feet.
 2500-1500 B.C – Egyptian farmers transferred water from the Nile to irrigation
channels using the counterweighted lever.

 600 B.C. – Roman temple of Dianna was built in Ephesus. They used sandbag
ramp bridges to erect over 2.000 stone columns that supported the main temple
roof.

 236 B.C. – Greek mathematician and engineer Archimedes invented first


elevator that was based on ropes, weights and wrenches. Basics of his elevator
theory became the foundation for all elevators in next 2.000 years.

 80 B.C. – Roman Colosseum was built with integrated network of 24 elevator


cages that carried gladiators and wild animals to the arena floor. Elevators were
powered by the work of over 200 slaves.

 50 B.C. – Invention of water wheel with a horizontal axis. It enabled it to be


powered by the force of flowing water.

 1203 – Abbey of Mont St. Michael used monkeys to power its treadmill hoisting
elevator.

 1690-1707 – French inventor Denis Palpin developed the theory of a steam


pump that would play the key role in the future hydraulic and pneumatic
elevators. He also invented high pressure water steam boiler.

 1743 – One of the first elevators that was intended for passenger use was
installed in French king Luis XV’s villa at Versailles.

 1765 – James Watt patented steam engine.

 1823 – “Ascending room” was built in London, giving the 20 people opportunity
to view the London panorama from the height of 37 meters.

 1829 – First electric motor prototype was built by American physicist John
Henry.

 1845 – Englishman Sir William Thompson patented idea of hydraulic crane.

 1854 – Elisha Grave Otis presented his first cabin that contained self-locking
door gear, which protected passengers from falling from elevator.

 1857 – Year in which Otis Elevator Company built and installed first steam
driven elevator intended for public use in a five story department store in New
York City.
 1870 – Nine story building in New York City became first building that was
purposely built with the elevator shafts. On a first day over 2000 people used
its elevators.

 1872 – First gas engine with 2 cylinders was built by German engineers
Nickolas August Otto and Eugene Langen.

 1887 – African American inventor Alexander Miles patented automatic elevator


door system.

 1878 – First electric elevator was built in Germany.

 1909 – 41 building in New York City got the first elevators with installed
telephones.

 1926 - Ruth Safety Garages in Chicago had the elevators that could transport
the cars in all 3 dimensions.

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