Elevator Facts and Myths

Did you know that elevators are safer than cars? Did you know that today’s elevators can reach speeds as fast as 1,000 meters per minute? Read about interesting facts, myths and corresponding truths about elevators.

Here are some facts about elevators and escalators:

• Elevator has been around for many years, but escalators too.
• People always searched for the way to easily transport the goods and people from one place to the other. An escalator is a type of transport device that moves people.
• Escalator that we know today was created in 1859. This first escalator-like machine was developed by the Jesse Reno from Massachusetts, USA. His escalator used steam to power.
• In 1892, the earliest working type of escalator was patented by Jesse W. Reno.
• In 1897 first commercial moving staircases escalator was made by Charles Seeberger in cooperation with the Otis Elevator Company.
• Escalator had become a common descriptive term for moving stairways.
• Statistically, elevators and escalators are extremely safe.
• Did you know that if you travel by escalator to the Moon with regular speed, your trip would last 20 years!

 Types of elevator hoist mechanisms

1. Traction elevators – They use AC or DC motors who power gears that move elevator by rolling its steel hoists ropes over a drive sheave. Today they are powering majority of modern passenger elevators, with ability to move its cabin over great distances at speed of 2.5 meters per second.
2. Hydraulic elevators – They are used to transfer cabin on short distances (maximum of 6 to 8 floors, more with Roped hydraulic type) with slow speed of 1 meter per second. They are well suited for lifting heavy weights.
3. Climbing elevator – They hold their own power device on them, mostly electric or combustion engine. Climbing elevators are often used in work and construction areas.