by Harold

      Ding! Fifth floor! I will tell you about the dangers, inventors, and how the elevator is powered. The elevator was the machine that people used to get them at the top of buildings or carry stuff other than people.

     The elevator is powered by much stuff. For example, the elevator was powered by car motors. Car motors were connected to the elevator to make it run. Secondly, elevators were operated by hydraulics which made them go faster. Next steam was used. Pistons were placed under the elevator and hot water or oil made it so hot when it came out the pistons it made the elevator move. Finally electricity was used. This is what is used today and it is far superior.

     There were two inventors of elevators during the 1800’s. Elisha Graves Otis and Werner Von Siemens both came up with the idea. Otis made safety breaks for the elevator and Von Siemens designed the actual elevator.

     These new inventions also came with new dangers. The cords that held up the elevator were known to snap and break because of the weight. Another problem was that these elevators used up so much energy that sometimes the cords would explode and the elevator would shut off. When this happened there would be a loss of control and passengers would be stranded inside.

     With the skyscrapers we have today we rely on elevators to get to the top floors. Who wants to walk all those steps? Thanks to Mr. Otis and Mr. Von Siemens we have a safer and faster way to get to the top!

For more information:
http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blelevator.htm
http://www.invent.org/hall_of_fame/115.html

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