The History of Elevators

2024 January 27

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The History of Elevators

The history of elevators is one of the most interesting narratives that helps us understand the construction and contemporary use of elevators.

Elevators are among the best tools used for transporting people between floors. It is hence recommended that you also consider the history of elevators. Reviews show that the use of elevator cabins dates back to ancient times, and you can see the applications of this tool in today’s world as well. Given the importance that exists in this section, follow this special article from the General Cabin website about the history of elevators to the end.

When Did the Initial Idea of Building an Elevator Take Shape?

If you want to fully explore the history of elevators, you must also know about the formation of the original idea. The person who managed to discover the principle of hydrostatics was the Greek scientist Archimedes, who holds a special place among scientists. Since elevators operate based on hydrostatic power, it is clear that the original idea also formed in this way. The invention of Archimedes’ screw also contributed to the initial idea of building elevators. The Archimedean screw was mostly used for water transportation, which has significant importance of its own. Interestingly, Archimedes did not stop there; he created a special elevator using pulleys and cables.

The power necessary to move it often came from wild animals. At times, strong gladiators were engaged in the task of moving it, which indicates their strength. Considering that today’s elevators are built with the best technology possible, you should take advantage of the best type of elevators for your benefit. According to studies conducted so far, the history of elevators has a long past that began in ancient times. Many great historical monuments, such as the pyramids of Egypt and Persepolis, were built with the help of lifts that greatly increased the power of human transport.

When Was the First Elevator Built?

Structures resembling elevators existed in the past, but the modern form of it was first built in 1743. This elevator was created in France by the order of King Louis XV. The new structure was named “flying chair” because such an advanced structure had not been built until then. This elevator was capable of easily moving a person from the palace courtyard to the balcony. This elevator featured pulleys and weights, making it function better. After a while, people began to think about building cable elevators, which eventually led to the construction of today’s modern elevators.

The History of Elevators and the Elevator Designer

If we want to recognize the greatest elevator designer, we must turn to George Atwood. He is the creator of Atwood’s machine, upon which today’s modern elevators are built. Atwood’s machine refers to a device with a string and two weights attached. These weights move under various conditions, which you can see operate in today’s elevators as well. It might interest you to know that elevators are constructed in different ways, and each person selects their type according to their needs.

The History of Hydraulic Elevators

The construction of hydraulic elevators created a massive revolution in the industry, which is why you should have a correct understanding of it. The first hydraulic elevator was built in 1846 by Armstrong. These early hydraulic elevators were used in docks for cargo transportation. Generally, hydraulic elevators are applicable for low heights and eventually cover up to four floors. After a while, hydraulic elevators took a more complicated form and resembled today’s elevators. Mr. Otis, one of the top American scientists, created more advanced hydraulic elevators.

These examples had much greater safety compared to the previous ones, making them very important. One of the safety features of this elevator is related to the prevention of cabin-free falls. In these elevators, a safety brake was included to act properly if the cable broke and prevent the elevator cabin from falling. Initially, the power necessary to move elevators was provided by steam. Gradually, over time, electric power was used for elevators. As you can see, the history of elevators has undergone many ups and downs, which you should consider.

An Overview of the History of Traction Elevators

The newest type of elevator widely used today is the traction elevator. As the name suggests, it is necessary to use traction force for the transportation and movement of the elevator cabin. In this case, the elevator cabin is directly connected to the counterweight through the pulley system, which will facilitate better movement. The energy consumption of traction elevators compared with other types is very low, and through this means, you can move between floors much faster. When you use this type of elevator, you can move up to high floors with ease; this is in contrast to hydraulic elevators where you would face floor limitations.

If you wish to reduce your power consumption, then surely traction elevators will be a better option for you. In 1992, the first type of these elevators was created by the Westinghouse company, which brought about a significant transformation in the field. Currently, this company still has many activities in the field of elevator production. The speed of these elevators in 1992 was 420 meters per minute, which was faster than previous models. The construction of the first buildings over one hundred floors began in 1930, which concurrently required the construction of powerful elevators. At this time, Mitsubishi, a major company, entered the scene and created the best elevators.

History of the Emergence of Elevators in Iran

Now that you are familiar with the history of elevators worldwide, it is better to know well the performance of elevators in Iran. If we generally review this history, we will notice that the elevator industry in Iran goes back over 80 years. It might interest you to know that the first Iranian who became acquainted with the elevator was Naser al-Din Shah. This king describes the elevator in his travelogue and praises it. However, the first elevators built in Iran were seen in buildings around Toopkhaneh Square.

For example, the National Library is one of these buildings where the first elevators were installed. These elevators were built with the help of expert specialists from the first generation of elevators, and the installation process was completed. The process of apartment construction in Iran began in 1335, after which the need for elevators was felt more than ever before. Since then, we have witnessed a very significant evolution in the elevator industry in Iran, which has continued to this day. Initially, the imported elevators were packaged and sent to Iran, but later, production also began in Iran.

Elevator Construction Conditions in Iran After the Revolution

When the Islamic Revolution occurred in 1979, the elevator industry also faced various challenges, each significant in its own right. At this time, the experts from other countries present in Iran left the country. This issue, along with the imposition of new sanctions, led to the elevator industry facing fundamental problems. Not much time had passed since the revolution when the imposed war also began against Iran. Based on this, the construction industry faced a deep recession, and the elevator industry faced a new crisis simultaneously. Since many parts were not being imported to Iran due to sanctions, local experts began to produce various parts to compensate for the shortages in this field adequately. After the war ended, new conditions in construction emerged, and since then we have seen the growth of the elevator industry.

Growth of the Elevator Industry After 1370

From the 70s, the elevator industry has flourished in Iran, which has continued to this day. Based on this, in the early 1370s, some important elevator parts could also be imported. The elevator engines, among other equipment, were imported into the country during this period and installed in various buildings. Over time, Iranian companies gradually became familiar with the technology for building different types of elevators and began producing various products.

A cursory review can lead us to note that domestic elevator production can have an impact on the final price of these products. Currently, the cost of Iranian elevator equipment is much lower than imported models, which will provide you with greater purchasing power. Experience has proven that the history of elevators in Iran has undergone a unique evolutionary course. If you need an elevator and its equipment, make sure to use the best products from domestic companies.

General Cabin; Leading Elevator Cabin Supplier in Iran

With a simple review of the history of elevator cabins, you will realize that the General Cabin company has a brilliant experience in this field. Given the numerous requests for elevators, General Cabin is also fully operational. The company uses the best raw materials for making elevator equipment, which will benefit you through this special solution. The high quality of raw materials has also increased their useful life. Another advantage seen in General Cabin products is their beauty.

Products such as modern and panoramic elevators are made by this company, which will be spectacular. As you can see, each of the products of General Cabin is of high quality. This company produces more than 4000 elevator cabin units annually, which is very special. If you are planning to purchase different elevator equipment, make sure to proceed with General Cabin at the earliest opportunity. Fortunately, various ways for purchasing these products have been provided, from which you can benefit.

In today’s world, we witness that the use of elevators has become a necessity. However, you should carry out precise planning in this regard to select the best elevator for yourself. The history of elevators shows that a long path has been traversed to reach today’s high-speed elevators. Fortunately, General Cabin, with its positive track record, has produced the best products and will offer them to you at a reasonable price. For you to have a variety of choices, the diversity of products has been increased as much as possible.

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