In this episode of It Started Somewhere, host Shaimond delves into the fascinating evolution of elevators, from primitive hoists in ancient times to the sophisticated, computer-controlled systems of today. Learn about key milestones, including the Roman architect Vitruvius' mentions, King Louis XV's counterweighted personal elevator, and Elisha Graves Otis' revolutionary safety brake. Discover how the Industrial Revolution and the advent of electricity transformed vertical transportation, leading to the birth of modern skyscrapers and the significant impact elevators have had on urban life and architecture.

Contact me at itstartedsomewhere@gmail.com

We all ride them in our apartments.

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stores and offices.

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Skyscrapers couldn't have

been built without them.

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You guessed it, elevators.

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The ubiquitous boxes that

transport us through life.

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I'm Shaimond and this is It

Started Somewhere, a podcast

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about popular products, places,

and things we know about, but may

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not know the story behind them.

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And today we're talking about

the history of elevators.

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Humans have been using hoists for

vertical transportation since as early

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as the 3rd century BCE these primitive

elevators, often called hoists, were

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powered by human and animal power,

and sometimes water driven mechanisms.

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One of the earliest recorded mentions of

an elevator like device comes from the

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writings of Roman architect Vitruvius.

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He attributed the invention to the Greek

mathematician Archimedes around 236 BCE.

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This early incarnation worked by

wrapping a rope around a large drum that

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was turned by several people at once.

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The ancient Romans made extensive

use of elevator like devices.

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The Colosseum whose construction was

completed in 80 AD had 28 elevators

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spread throughout the structure that

were used to transport animals and props.

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These elevators were

powered by human strength.

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It took 224 people to activate

all 28 elevators at once.

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In the 18th century, we see the first

glimpses of elevators used for human

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transportation rather than just cargo.

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In 1743, King Louis XV of France had

a human powered, counter weighted

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personal elevator built in Versailles.

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This connected his apartment

to his mistress apartment who

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lived one floor above him.

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Talk about ingenuity.

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However, it wasn't until the 19th

century that elevated technology

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began to advance significantly.

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The Industrial Revolution brought

about a need for more efficient ways

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to transport heavy materials and

warehouses, mines, and factories.

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The mid 1800s marked a turning

point in elevator history.

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In 1823, two architects, Burton

and Hormer, built an ascending

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room in London to give tourists

a panoramic view of the city.

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But the real game changer came

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Otis invented the safety brake.

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This revolutionary device

prevented the elevator from

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falling if the hoist cable broke.

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Otis demonstrated his invention

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Fair in a dramatic fashion.

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Standing on an elevated platform, he

ordered the retaining rope to be cut.

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As the platform began to drop, the safety

brake engaged, stopping the descent.

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"All safe, gentlemen, all safe," Otis

declared to his astonished crowd.

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this safety innovation paved

the way for the widespread

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adoption of passenger elevators.

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In 1857, Otis installed the first

commercial passenger elevator in a five

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story department store in New York City.

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marking the beginning of a new

era in vertical transportation.

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As buildings grew taller, the

demand for faster and more

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efficient elevators increased.

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The 1870s saw the shift from steam

powered elevators to hydraulic systems.

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These hydraulic elevators used water

pressure as their power source and became

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the industry standard for the time.

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However, the real revolution came

with the advent of electricity.

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In 1880, German inventor,

Werner Von Siemens created

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the first electric elevator.

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This innovation opened up new

possibilities for building

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heights and elevator speed.

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As elevators became more common,

inventors focused on improving

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their safety and efficiency.

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In 1887, an electric elevator with

automatic doors that close off

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the elevator shaft was patented,

making elevators even safer.

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The development of safe and efficient

elevators had a profound impact on

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architecture and urban planning.

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Before elevators, the top floors of

buildings were the least desirable

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due to the need to climb stairs.

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However, with the advent of

elevators, this completely reversed.

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The ability to move people vertically

with ease allowed architects to

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design taller buildings, leading to

the birth of the modern skyscraper.

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By the 20th century, elevators have

become an integral part of urban life.

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Today, modern commercial buildings

commonly have multiple elevators

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with unified control systems.

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These sophisticated systems use

complex algorithms to optimize

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elevator movement, reducing wait

times and improving efficiency.

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Elevators even use mirrors to make

them seem more open and have digital

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displays that share information

to help the ride feel shorter.

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From simple hoists in ancient times to

the high speed computer control systems

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of today, elevators have come a long way.

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They've not only changed how we

move within buildings but have

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fundamentally altered the way we

build our cities and live our lives.

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The next time you step into an

elevator, take a moment to appreciate

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the centuries of innovation and

engineering that have gone into creating

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this marvel of modern convenience.

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From Archimedes to Elisha Otis,

from steam power to electric motors,

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the history of elevators is a

testament to human ingenuity and our

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constant drive to reach new heights.

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Thank you for joining me

on It Started Somewhere.

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I'll catch you on the next episode.