The invention of elevators has been a boon for all of us. They have truly changed the way modern society works. Whether they are installed to help people with disability, move heavy loads, or just for their aesthetical value, imagining the world without elevators is quite difficult. However, only a few people know that the earliest elevator prototypes appeared in the middle-ages. Elevators have come a long way and have evolved to become one of the highly used equipment pieces these days. Let us know more about the evolution of elevators:
Hoists
Hoists are also
known as man-lift, buck-hoist, or temporal lift. They first appeared in the 3rd
century B.C. and were powered by humans, animals, or even water-driven systems.
It usually involved ropes and a pulley that helped in lifting large objects
like stone, wood, and other construction components. These are still used as
temporary elevators in large construction sites.
Steam Hydraulic Elevators
With the
industrial revolution, there was a new need to move raw materials in greater
volumes. As a solution, steam hydraulic systems were developed and were able to
lift heavy materials, helping mines and factories. These steam-powered
elevators further led to inventions of the elevator shafts and equipment that
are more identifiable as the elevators we use in the modern world today.
Motor Elevators
Soon after the
discovery of electricity, motor-powered elevators also came into the picture. Werner
von Siemens, who was a German inventor, invented the first electric elevator in the year 1880.
These were quicker and more secure than the steam elevators. And with some
added features for safety, floor control, acceleration control, we got the
elevators that we use today.
While elevators
have come a long way, there is still a lot that can be done. According to NASA,
an elevator to space seems to be a possibility in the near future. We hope that
this information will help you understand more about the elevators
we use in India and all across the globe.
