Elisha Graves Otis
Elisha Graves Otis (1811-1861): The Safety Elevator
Before inventing the safety brake for elevators, Otis invented and patented a robot turner for wood carving, a safety brake that stopped trains instantly and an automatic bread baking oven. Otis and his two sons were tinkerers and together invented the elevator safety device that prevents an elevator from falling if the hoisting cable fails. At first his invention was coolly received but with a successful demonstration at the 1854 New York World’s Fair in the New York Crystal Palace, the concept was warmly accepted. The invention of the Otis safety brake elevator contributed to the increased demand for tall buildings in America’s largest cities.