Elevators have evolved significantly since their invention in 300 B.C. Back then, they were powered by people, animals, and/or water. Today, they practically run themselves and include advanced features like elevator video monitoring to keep riders safe.
They have also come a long way from where they were when the first safety elevator emerged. Even though it wasn’t invented that long ago, it looks and feels prehistoric compared to modern-day options.
So, when was the safety elevator invented, and what did it offer when it showed up on the scene? Find out below.
The Invention of the Safety Elevator
The answer to the question, “When was the safety elevator invented?” might surprise you: It was introduced in the 1850s.
Elisha Otis, founder of the Otis Elevator Company, introduced it to the world. In 1853, he showcased it for the first time at the Crystal Palace Convention, an annual exhibition in New York City.
Otis’s elevator invention didn’t immediately catch on. It took several more years for it to appear in a store and for people to use it.
How It Worked
Now that you know the answer to the question, “When was the safety elevator invented?” let’s discuss how it worked. It operated much differently than elevators installed in buildings throughout the country in the present century.
Here is a basic breakdown of how it worked:
- A unique safety device, designed to engage with a ratchet-bar beam using a spring, was installed on Otis’s invention.
- The spring for Otis’s elevator remained in place due to the weight provided by the platform attached to its cable.
- The spring opened if the cable snapped and stopped it from freefalling.
Although Otis’s invention looks rudimentary by today’s standards, it was responsible for sparking the quick evolution of elevators in the decades to come.
Where It Was First Installed
Otis didn’t install the first safety elevator immediately after highlighting its functionality at NYC’s Crystal Palace Convention. However, he found a place to install one within five years of its introduction.
Otis’s first installation appeared in the E. V. Haughwout Building, which opened in 1867. It turned into one of the centerpieces of the E. V. Haughwout & Co. store that existed inside the five-story building.
Unlike today’s options, which primarily run on electricity, Otis’s creation was powered by a steam engine in the basement of the E. V. Haughwout Building.
Let Us Help You Keep the Elevators in Your Buildings as Safe as Possible
After hearing the answer to the question, “When was the safety elevator invented?” you might marvel at the technological advancements made in less than two centuries.
Modern elevators have many other safety mechanisms that make them safer than ever. Elevator inspections also pinpoint problems and provide fast fixes for safety-related issues with brake systems and other parts.
Additionally, ELEVATE Monitoring routinely assists building owners who want to increase safety by installing elevator monitoring systems. Call us at 877-990-9191 today to learn how these systems work and how they can benefit you.
