The history of lifts
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
Lifts are vertical modes of transportation that move people or goods between storeys. The earliest known record of a lift can be traced back to Roman architect Vitruvius who reported Archimedes to have built the first one in 236 BC.
At the time, lifts were made from hemp rope and powered by animals or people; a vast difference to the modern lift. Over the years, lifts improved as construction and technology advanced, until they because what we see today.
[edit] Before Industrialisation
In a pre-industrial era, lifts were very different to its contemporary counterparts. In the year 1000, al-Muradi in his Book of Secrets told of a contraption similar to a lift that was used to raise a battering ram to destroy a fortress in Islamic Spain.
King Louis XV ordered the construction of a passenger lift, called ‘flying chair’, in the 18th century; more specifically, in 1743. The lift was installed outside the King’s balcony at the Chateau de Versailles and was operated by hand.
In 1793, the first screw drive lift was created by Ivan Kulibin and installed in the Winter Palace. This marked a significant step in lift history, as it was the precursor to the modern passenger lift.
[edit] The Industrial Revolution
Lifts that stemmed from steam-powered technology were only created in the 19th century after industrialisation made it possible to move large volumes of goods in mines and factories. In 1823, London architects Burton and Hormer constructed the ‘ascending room’, a tourist attraction powered by steam. It offered a unique panoramic view of London.
Sir William Armstrong created the hydraulic crane in 1846 for the purposes of loading cargo onto ships. It used a water pump and worked with water pressure to raise and lower the platform. Counterweights and balances were also applied.
[edit] From the 1850s to the 1900s
In 1852, in New York, Elisha Otis pioneered the safety lift, which ensured the cab wouldn’t fall if the cable snapped. The Equitable Life Building, in New York, was the first in the world to have passenger lifts in in 1870, and the first electric lift was invented in 1880 by Werner von Siemens in Germany. Alexander Miles, an inventor from the US, invented the automated doors.
The first hydraulic lift with push buttons (and without a driver) was operated on 1894, and the Paris Universal Exhibition had its first lift operated in 1900. By this year, automated lifts were available, although many people chose not to use them. A lift operator strike occurred in 1945, in New York, as well as the adoption of an emergency stop button, telephone and automated voice.
[edit] Modern lifts
Argentina saw the first vacuum lift offered commercially in 2000. The number of buildings over 200 m tripled since the year 2000, which also meant that more lifts were installed and new and improved technologies were developed. Lifts without ropes are already being developed.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Considerations When Installing a Residential Lift.
- Lifts and Escalators: A Quality Perspective.
- Lifts and Their Special Operating Modes.
- Lifts for buildings.
- Lifts for office buildings.
- The science of lifts.
- The world's fastest lifts.
- Top factors to consider when planning to install a lift.
- Winchester House.
--Nathan Massey 14:25, 11 Jul 2017 (BST)
Featured articles and news
Permitted development rights for agricultural buildings
The changes coming into effect as of May 21, 2024.
Biodiversity and the built environment digital series
The nature of building, with CIOB and CWP.
A call for prevention and sensitive re-use.
Risks to the long-term effectiveness of the BNG scheme
National Audit Office publish review of Biodiversity Net Gain.
The CIAT principal designer register
Providing assurance and verification of the capability and competence of registered ATs.
Building Safety recommendations and Northern Ireland
The NI roadmap to improving safety in high rise residential.
Specifying rendered external wall insulation for fire safety
How to interrogate the evidence provided to the specifier.
The benefits of writing articles for your organisation
How to create a profile for your organisation and publish for free.
No Falls Week. The importance of safe working at height
What to expect and what is on offer to avoid accidents.
Scottish Government action to reach net-zero targets
Retrofit expert group highlight critical actions needed.
A forward thinking, inclusive global community of members.
From engineered product life-spans, to their extension.
Circular economy in the built environment
A brief description from 2021. Where are we now?
CLC publishes domestic retrofit competency framework
Roadmap of Skills for net zero.
Understanding is key to conservation.
Open industry engagement survey seeks responses
Institutions and the importance of engagement.
Comments