New York City boasts plenty of high-rise buildings. But the elevator makes the cityโs iconic skyscrapers possible. Elevators are so ubiquitous (there are over 70,000 in New York City) but many residents are unfamiliar with the rich history behind them or what to do if they find their elevator in need of repair.ย
How Elevators Changed NYC
The first elevators didnโt carry passengers – steam-powered freight lifts were used in storehouses as early as the 1830s to transport cargo and goods. Passenger elevators were first used in 1852 when Elisha Otis introduced an elevator safety brake to prevent elevators from falling in the event of device failure. He presented his work at the 1854 Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations, held in what is known today as Bryant Park. The first elevator installed in a New York City building was three years later in a department store. The elevator was slow, but functional, and allowed the department store to house its warehouse and showrooms all in one place.ย
Elevators quickly influenced the cityโs development. By the 1860s, New Yorkโs Financialย District was becoming increasingly crowded – so much so that city planners debated moving the financial hub uptown. The solution to the cityโs rapid expansion began when the Equitable Life Assurance Society (a prominent insurance company) constructed its headquarters in an eight-story building with two elevators. Soon, the top-floor corner office was occupied by the CEO, and the height of oneโs office became a status symbol.
Commercial buildings werenโt the only ones paving new ground – residential buildings soon followed suit. Before the invention of the elevator, the highest floor of a residential building was the least desired floor. Top floors were designed for servants and waitstaff, and luxury residents didnโt want to traverse the multitude of stairs to the top floor. The Dakota (a residential building at 72nd and Central Park West) was the first residential building to cater top-floor apartments to wealthy residents. While many were initially skeptical, the next four decades would bring more elevators to luxury buildings and move thousands of wealthy residents to the top floor.
Rules and Regulations
Though elevators have deeply influenced NYCโs growth trajectory, they need frequent maintenance and testing to ensure safety. The Department of Buildings (DOB) works to ensure the proper use of all elevators in New York City. Buildings that have five or more stories must have an elevator (though some buildings constructed before 1968 are exempt), and at least one of them must be large enough to accommodate a stretcher in case of emergency. The unit must be accessible from a public space (rather than a cramped hallway) and doors must be at least 36 inches wide and remain open for at least three seconds. The push buttons must sit 42 inches from the ground so any user can reach them.
Building code regulates that elevators must be inspected periodically. They need category one tests (inspecting all safety devices, cables, alarms, and general use mechanisms) twice a year, and category five tests (lifting the elevatorโs maximum load at maximum speed) once every five years. Residents can file a complaint if the unit is not working, was installed without a permit, is not inspected, or if it has dirty or unsanitary conditions. The Department of Housing Preservation and Development will investigate complaints and issue tickets to owners. Residents can look up their apartment building at DOB NOW: Safety to search for violations. The website also shows any outstanding payments.ย ย
Safety Tips
Though elevators are generally very safe, the New York City DOB recommends some simple safety tips when riding in them. You should:ย
- Look down when entering and exiting an to ensure it is level with the ground. Donโt exit the if it stops more than nine inches from the landing.
- Though many people try to stop the doors from closing with an arm or leg, it is most safe to use the โdoor openโ button to hold closing doors.
- Rather than crowding in a packed elevator, itโs best to wait for the next ride. Though it may seem like a time saver to cram in, packed units are more likely to get stuck, adding further delay to everyoneโs day.ย
- Press the emergency alarm if needed. Once pushed, help is on the way. Riders should not to try to pry open the doors but rather to wait patiently for an expert to arrive.ย
Fun facts!
Though elevators may seem like a lackluster invention, their universal usage has created some interesting statistics! Here are a few things you may not have known about them:
- Every three days, elevators worldwide carry the equivalent of Earthโs population.ย
- The maximum height an elevator can reach is 500m (1700 ft) before the weight of the cables would cause the elevator to fall.ย
- Elevators are the statistically safest way to travel – theyโre 20 times safer than escalators!
- Elevator music was first introduced in the 1920s when travelers were wary of riding on them. Building owners started playing relaxing music to calm riders.ย
- The close button is a placebo effect – the doors close automatically, but the button gives riders a sense of control. However, in some modern units, the close door button may actually work.ย
- Though not all elevator panels are the same, many panels use a star or asterisk to indicate the ground floor.ย
Call the lift!
Elevators may seem like an ordinary part of daily life. However, they’re a modern marvel that promotes new architecture and sustains larger communities. They require inspection and frequent service, but are one of the safest ways to travel between floors. Next time you admire the skyline, remember that elevators are a major reason that skyscrapers can tower over the city.ย