Thoughts About Elevator Service

Many individuals take elevator service for granted until it breaks down. Multistory buildings that are built according to today’s building codes are required to have elevators. This is because of ADA and the American Disabilities Act. This act provides protection for disabled individuals’ rights in public buildings. Public structures have to be accessible to everyone, no matter what their physical fitness level or ability to be mobile. This means that doorways have to be wide enough for wheelchairs to fit through, sidewalks must have ramps attached or built in so that they’re accessible and restrooms have to be outfitted for handicapped accessibility, as well. Older buildings that were built before the American Disabilities Act have to be retrofitted in order to be compliant and receive a stamp of approval regarding their certificate of occupancy. A business can’t operate inside of a structure without an approved certificate of occupancy.

Elevators are closed or open boxes or platforms which are utilized to lift individuals or freight up and down between floors. These devices were originally operated manually and were mainly used to move materials and freight. These older mechanisms were used back in the 1600’s and beyond. In the mid 1800’s, one of the original modern designs was introduced by Elisha Otis at the World’s Fair. Otis created safety features which revolutionized the elevator industry and enabled them to be used by humans. His invention entailed a mechanism that kept the compartment stable even if the cables broke. These early transporting boxes were powered by steam. By the late 1800’s, hydraulic lifts came onto the scene using water pressure to energize them.

In 1889, elevators were powered by electricity. Electric energy was starting to be the cutting edge method of powering many things and lifts were no exception. Since modern buildings during this time were being wired for electricity, running a lift with this source fit with the times. Even today, similar types of motors are used that travel up to 500 feet each minute or even faster. In some very tall and high tech structures, the speed may be up to four times that amount.

In the early days, just like buildings had “doormen,” they also had “elevator men” who worked the controls while the passengers rode along. He would usually be dressed in a proper uniform and say “Going up or down?” and ask which floor. This was from an earlier time. There were rarely any women working elevators because during that era of history, most women stayed home and tended house instead of working for paychecks. By the 1970’s, most elevators had systems run by the passengers themselves and that’s where we still are today.

Some of the features of today’s elevators include hold buttons, telephones, emergency buzzers and more. They are often adorned with mirrors on the walls in order to give the illusion of a larger space. Elevator service can be a wonderful way to get from one floor to another and we’re grateful to Otis for inventing the modern version.