From the Past to the Present: Elevators

Have you ever wondered about the historical development of elevator systems, which are now considered essential in nearly every newly built building and are indispensable in multi-story structures?

The First Elevator

The first references to elevators date back to the time of the Roman Empire. The creator of the elevator principle is none other than Archimedes, who is well-known for discovering the principle of buoyancy. While the system he established was a simple lever mechanism, it marked the beginning of a journey that would span centuries.

In a work written by the Roman architect Vitruvius in 26 A.D., there is mention of primitive systems used in Rome around 200 B.C. to lift and lower loads, which can be considered early forms of elevators. These systems were employed on the outer walls of monasteries and were used to prevent enemy night raids for defense and protection purposes.

No Elevators in the 7th Century! “Flying Chairs” Were Used!

At the beginning of the 17th century, French architect Velayer added weight to this primitive system, making it more stable and solving the balance issues. During this period, a system known as the "flying chair" was used. It was a device consisting of a pulley and winch system, with a chair placed between two posts. Although this system, which is now considered simple and normal, was expensive and human-powered at the time, it could only be used by the wealthy.

These systems, which became a symbol of wealth, were used by the very rich to move between the floors of their buildings. Today, these systems are what we call elevators.

"Flying Chair" Becomes an Elevator!

Until the 19th century, similar human and animal-powered systems without any safety measures were used for load transfer in many industrial areas. Despite providing significant ease of operation, they caused major safety issues regarding human life and property. The first advancements in this regard took place during this period.

When examining the architecture of this era, it is evident that although construction techniques had developed to the point of building taller buildings, they were limited to a maximum of 5 floors, a level that people could easily ascend.

The work to improve this technique and safety measures began to bear fruit in 1853 when American Elisha Graves Otis developed the first steam-powered elevator system designed to carry people. This elevator was installed and put into operation in a 5-story office building on Broadway, New York, on March 23, 1857. The system worked by using a steam engine to rotate a drum, which then wound a rope attached to the elevator.

The Elevator Takes Its Name from Leon Edoux in 1867

The system we've discussed so far took its name from French engineer Leon Edoux in 1867. Edoux referred to this system as "Ascenseur," and it was presented at the International Paris Exposition, where it was used to take guests to the top of the exhibition building. This system was hydraulically powered, with a piston that pushed the cabin upwards under the effect of water pressure. The key feature of Edoux's elevator was the use of drive pulleys. These pulleys allowed the elevator to cover a greater distance and use multiple ropes, making the system significantly safer compared to previous models.

The Elevator Meets Electricity in 1880

In 1880, a breakthrough invention appeared at the Mannheim Exhibition in Germany, marking a pivotal moment for elevator systems. German physicist Werner von Siemens introduced an electric-powered elevator, adding a new dimension to the evolution of elevators, which had originally been powered by human labor. This new system operated using an electric motor mounted beneath the elevator cabin.

Following this development, electric elevators began to be used in high-rise buildings starting in 1889. The introduction of electricity revolutionized the efficiency and reliability of elevators, making them suitable for use in taller buildings and marking a significant advancement in elevator technology.