Otis Cathode Touch Button – More Than You Ever Wanted To Know

Monday, January 30th, 2012

One of the coolest buttons, perhaps developed before it’s time was the Otis “Touch” button which was motionless. This button was very common back in the 1960’s and up into the 1970’s and 80’s. Contrary to how most assume the button worked it was not heat sensitive. It actually worked on the principle of sensing a voltage change that occurred inside a glass tube. A finger touching the face of the button created this drop which then activated the the tube directly behind the button. Again, pretty darn cool and a product ahead of it’s time.

Tags: How Otis Touch Button Works, Otis Elevator Touch Button, Touch Button Wiring Diagram
Posted in Elevators - 1951-1970, Elevators - 1971-1990 | No Comments

Peelle Escalators Discovered Encapsulated at Starr Building, TX

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011

This has to be one of the coolest articles I’ve read in a while. While we often hear about elevator shaft ways being walled in only to be discovered years and decades later in old buildings and residential properties it’s not every day you read about a pair of escalators being discovered.  The actual article was written by a representative from Peelle. For more information visit www.peelledoor.com but remember that they no longer make escalators as the article below points out.

For Immediate Release

Recently a pair of Peelle Escalators were discovered after being hidden by flower boxes for almost 40-years. Originally installed in 1955, the five story, 76,375 square foot building housed the American National Bank; it was the first major example of modernist architecture in Austin, TX, it included a full walled modern art mural and possibly Austin’s first escalators.

In 1971 the building was later purchased by the State of Texas for the Controller’s office. In an effort to demonstrate fiscal responsibility they suspended use of the Peelle escalators to conserve energy. The state enclosed in the escalators and built flower boxes on both levels. In a developer recently purchased the building for multi-use and renamed it The Starr Building.

During remodeling the Peelle escalators installed some 40 years earlier, long since forgotten, were discovered when the contractor removed flower boxes. They powered the Peelle escalators and they operated; the owner has contracted an elevator maintenance company so a proper evaluation and modernization can be made.

Although Peelle no longer manufactures escalators the story is a testament to the quality Peelle places on all of its product lines. For more information contact Mike Ryan @ mryan@peelledoor.com.

Tags: Peelle Escalators, Starr Building
Posted in Elevators - 1951-1970 | No Comments

Brick & Mortar Elevator Museum Opens 6-29-2011

Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011

This month the Elevator History Museum (elevatorhistory.org) will be opening in Long Island City, New York. Founder and Curator of the museum, Patrick Carrajat, is asking for our assistance in helping preserve the history of our trade by donating any old artifacts that could be displayed at the museum. He says he already has a good collection of antique elevator components from the east coast but his west coast catalogs lacks some. If anyone has anything they would like to display at this museum please contact Patrick directly at 917.748.2328.

For more information please click the two .pdf documents below.

# MUSEUM OPENING INVITATION

MUSEUM ANNOUNCEMENT

Posted in Articles, Elevators - 1900-1930, Elevators - 1931-1950, Elevators - 1951-1970, Elevators - 1971-1990, Elevators - 1991-2010, Elevators - Pre 1900's | 1 Comment

1960’s – 1970’s Lantern Wanted

Wednesday, October 27th, 2010

Let’s help Justin out! If you’ve seen these or know where to get them send Justin an e-mail!

We are an elevator company based out of Indianapolis. We found these, and we are missing one. I was wondering if you knew where we can get another one or know of a place that sales antique or replica parts.
 
Thanks,
Justin

Tags: stainless elevator lantern
Posted in Elevators - 1951-1970 | 3 Comments