Elevators, though an indispensable part of our everyday lives, aren’t given enough mention as they should be. While we owe the biggest Modern Marvels and the tallest of Buildings to these handy little rooms transporting goods and people vertically, lets take our time to know some amazing facts about our techy buddies.
1. The first written record of an elevator comes from 3rd century BC Greece. That simple elevator was invented by mathematician Archimedes.
2. 24 elevators at the ancient Roman Colosseum were manually operated by the force of over 200 slaves.
3. Despite fears of getting stuck or free-falling in an elevator, riding in an elevator is actually safer than riding in a car. On average 26 people a year die in an elevator-related accident (mainly elevator technicians and not passengers) while 26 people die per hour in car-related accidents.
4. The average user uses an elevator 4 times per day. Every three days, elevators carry the equivalent of the Earth’s population.
5. The first elevator that had manual user control was installed in New York Marriott. The first public building elevator was installed in nine story high building in New York City.
6. The Maximum altitude that one cable hoisted elevator can achieve is 1700 feet. Every elevator is supported by multiple cables and each of those cables can safely carry entire elevator and its passengers.
7. The close button in an elevator is actually a “placebo” button, made to give passengers the illusion of control in their elevator journey. Since the 1990’s elevator manufacturers have removed the close function on most elevators since they close automatically.
8. Elevator music first appeared in 1920s to calm the fearful passengers who used the elevators for the first time.
9. Some of the most famous elevators can be found in Gateway Arch in St. Louis (cabin travels in a arch), Santa Justa Lift in Lisbon (one of the first steam powered lifts), Lacerda Elevator in Salvador (one of the busiest elevators in the world), Taipei 101 (rocked powered elevators!), Bailong Elevator in china (regarded to be biggest outdoor elevator), Louvre Elevator in France (its cabin is open) and Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas (it travels at the 39% degree).
10. Since the number 13 is considered extremely unlucky in a lot of countries, a lot of buildings opt to remove the 13th floor from their floor plans. Otis Elevators Company estimates that approximately 85% of buildings with their elevators do not have a 13 button.