Elevators

Fact: The first elevator was built in 236 BC by the Greek scientist Archimedes, of Eureka! Fame. Early elevators were hoisted or wound around a drum, pulled by slaves or animals.  The Coliseum in Rome in the first century BC had 24 elevators operated by over 200 slaves. In the middle ages, elevators based on winch system were popular in walled castles.  Screw drive elevators were developed around 1800 and hydrolic elevators around the same time. The safety break was invented in 1853, which is when the elevator evolution started. Then in 1880 came electrical elevators. Soon after – elevator music. It’s purpose: to calm nervous elevator passengers and disguise the scary sounds of the elevator.

Quote: "If you die in an elevator, be sure to push the Up button."  -- Sam Levenson

And a site: The Elevator Museum