The Elevator

An elevator is a small room that moves up and down inside a building. It uses strong cables and a motor to move. You press a button to pick a floor. The doors open and close by themselves. Elevators help people go up tall buildings without climbing stairs.

A Safer Lift

People used lifts for many years, but they were not safe. If the rope broke, the lift would fall. In 1852, Elisha Otis made a safety brake. If the rope broke, the brake would catch the elevator. This made people feel safe riding them. Tall buildings, called skyscrapers, grew because of elevators.

How They Work

Most elevators have a strong metal box called a car. Thick steel cables hold the car. A motor pulls the cables to move the car up or down. A heavy weight helps balance the car so the motor does not work too hard. Sensors keep the doors from closing on people.

Fun Facts

• The Otis company made the first safe elevator over 170 years ago.
• Some elevators in tall towers can go over 45 miles per hour.
• Elevators often have mirrors because they make the car feel less small.

Did You Know?

Without elevators, skyscrapers would not be possible. No one would want to climb 50 flights of stairs.