The Elevator Preservation Blog

Elevator Museums

March 21st, 2011. Posted in Articles

A nice e-mail from Robert Vogel regarding elevator museums in Europe. I wanted to share this with everyone who might be interested. Currently there is one online Elevator Museum supported by Elevator World Magazine. http://www.theelevatormuseum.org/ 

Elevator Museums 

When last I looked (1987, I think it was), there appeared to be exactly two elevator museums in the entire world:
 
One was/is near Amsterdam, consisting of a good collection of early of elevator equipment, both hydraulic and electric, assembled by Otis’s Netherlands agent (whose name I now forget). As I recall, it wasn’t staffed and was open only by application to the above-mentioned man.
 
The other was/is in Budapest. It was organized by the manager of the (Communist) state elevator factory. Like his Dutch counterpart, he had an abiding interest in elevator history, and whenever they pulled out an early machine or lift system to replace it with modern equipment, he would appropriate it for his museum.
 
I had the pleasure of visiting both establishments in about the above year, to find, not too surprisingly, that neither was exactly overrun with other visitors. The Hungarian collection was a bit less interesting than the Dutch, most of the machines being relatively small drum electrics, plus a middle-aged car or two.   I’ve had no contact with either since then and, in fact, have to wonder whether either survives today, what with the likely retirement of both men, and particularly Hungary’s radically changed political basis.

Robert Vogel

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Otis Employee 184…Who Are You?

March 21st, 2011. Posted in Elevators - 1931-1950

I recieved the e-mail below with some great photos. We are in search of whom this may have belonged to. Employee number 184 who are you? If anyone from Otis has older records that might be able to identify who this pin might have been worn by we’d love to hear from you.

Original E-mail:

Tom  ,I finally got around to this. Let me know what you think.  I met up with an Otis  mechanic who knows  some retired Otis mechanics so he is going to show them a pin ,see what they say.  We were thinking maybe from the 1950’s or 60’s .50 cents for a lost pin in the in the30’s 0r 40’s would have been a lot of money.    Let me know . I’m also sending this to a rep at Otis who was at our shop It’s possible they still have a record of the ID # on the badge and who wore it .Current mechanics are in 3 digit numbers now . So that could date them better  possibly.   ……………….Scott

If you’ve got any information at all regarding this pin please comment in the space below. Thanks!

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Old Elevator Cab Info Needed

March 21st, 2011. Posted in Elevators - 1900-1930

At first this appeared to be some type of tellers box but after reviewing it a little more closely the scissor gate would indicate it’s an elevator cab. Looks to be around the turn of the century and we’re waiting for more images to post. If you’ve got more information on it please post it in comments below.

This post/image was submitted by David B. – Philadelphia, PA

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Old Elevators In Danger of Extinction

February 10th, 2011. Posted in Elevators - 1900-1930

Hi – I run a 19th century former textile mill in New York State which is now a mix of art and industrial tenants, and we also operate a non-profit art center.  We have 5 antique freight elevators which continue to function well and are used daily by our tenants.  They are maintained monthly and inspected annually.  However, the municipality in which we are located is suddenly requiring that they meet all of today’s current codes.  We are in danger of losing them.
 
We are searching either for attorneys or consultants having knowledge of the applicability of the codes to antique elevators.  My search led me to your blog.  Are there individuals out there who might be able to help us with this matter?  Time is of the essence so I would appreciate very much any help you can lend.
Thank you!!
 
Robin E. Rosenberg
President
Garnerville Arts & Industrial Center
www.garnervillearts.com

Elevator Pres. Response

Hi Robin, this is a tough situation that many who have older elevators are currently facing. Unfortunately there are parts of the code that truly should be adhered to to ensure the safety of everyone who uses these older elevators, however it seems that elevators that were installed many years ago may be grandfathered and not required to meet the current codes. The A17.3 Elevator Code addresses existing elevators and what are safety improvements if an upgrade is to be done. You don’t want anyone getting hurt on your existing elevator, that’s the key. Dangerous elevators will kill people and you should adhere what your inspector and elevator contractor are recommending for safety upgrades.
 
My advice to you is to ask your elevator company whether this “new” requirement to bring your elevator up to current code is a State of NY requirement or your local city. Many building owners simply don’t have the finances to cover such upgrades. You might even want to contact your local AHJ or elevator inspection body to see what the regulations are.
 
There are some excellent elevator consultants out there that might be worth hiring to assist with your older elevator problem and we’d be happy to assist with providing some contacts for you. Another route that has helped with other cities is to contact your local legislator who covers your district and meet with them. Sometimes variances, due to age of building, can be accommodated as well as for historic preservation. But you’ll need to see what he or she says.
 
I hope this has been helpful and wish you luck with your project. I hope that you’re not required to bring your elevator up to the current code as it is expensive and the building will loose a bit of it’s character. New elevators today have a life span of 10-20 years. The one you have and those from the 1920’s and 1930’s can run for another 50 years.  If you have photos we’d love to show them online.

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For Sale – 1894 Otis Elevator

November 30th, 2010. Posted in Articles, Elevators - Pre 1900's

I work with a general contracting company.  We are restoring a 1894 building that has an old Otis elevator.  We are interested in selling the entire elevator if possible.  We are willing to split it up if necessary, though.  Attached you will find pictures of the elevator. 

If anyone is interested in this unique piece please contact Sara at Phoenix of Ohio 740-382-8889.

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Great Antique Elevator Pieces

October 27th, 2010. Posted in Elevators - 1900-1930

I love these e-mails and the photographs that are attached. The car switch photograph is pretty rare in my opinion. Never have I seen one with the markings that this one had. If you’re reading this post and would like to share a photo gallery of your collection, send it over to elevatorpreservation@gmail.com and if you’ve got some history behind the pieces that’s what makes them special. Great e-mail Jennifer, thank you so much for sharing. If anyone has information on these items please share them in the comments section below.

My name is Jennifer and my father has been in the elevator industry for over 40 years. He recently went through some of his things and he gave me some stuff. He did not have a lot of information about where they came from or what age they were but they seem to be some really interesting pieces. I would appreciate any information that you could give my regarding the age of any of the items and also what materials they may be made of. I tried to take pictures so that you could see the details and also included a yardstick so that you would know what size these items were.

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