Early Elevator Indicator Revisited

The February 2016 issue of ELEVATOR WORLD includes an article, “Paul Schuyler Van Bloem,” written by Dr. Lee Gray in response to a research request from Mark A. Goldstein of New Jersey. In addition to sounding bells, the indicator would light up on the arrival of the elevator. Goldstein installed some lights in the back of the indicator and witnessed a beautiful display of color, confirming Van Bloem’s statement in U.S. Patent No. 1,592,399 ( July 13, 1926):

“Up-and-down signals usually are differently colored, the up signal being usually white, although green frequently is used, and the down signal being usually red, although other colors are sometimes used.”