Looking Back and Forward

Our focus in June is on Historical Elevators. You know what they say about history: ignore it and you may have to repeat it. In the case of the vertical-transportation (VT) industry, that is not a problem. For the most part, we build equipment to far outlast the buildings they service. There are a great number of very old elevators and escalators out there. Some have been modernized more than three times (and some not at all). We live in a fast-paced world now, and some buildings change their purpose and traffic pattern long before a complete modernization is called for. Elevators are the lifeblood of the building; sometimes an overlay or a new controller is all that is needed to adjust traffic needs. When the VT industry does have to repeat history, it is in response to the needs of the traveling public or the safety of those who install and service the equipment. For the most part, we just keep improving on our past.

For our focus, Historian Dr. Lee Gray has written The Passenger Elevator’s First Decade. He takes us to 1860-70, a time of expansion of the use of elevators. Most, he noted, were built in the eastern part of the U.S. but shipped all over the country and installed locally. Michael J. Ryan, vice president of marketing at The Peelle Co., has written Mad Men and Beyond. The early 1900s, the author says, was a “golden age” of advertising. Before the age of consultants, ads for Peelle doors were aimed at the architect, who made all design decisions. Finally, we feature an interesting antique in a beautiful setting, National Treasure by Kaija Wilkinson. To “see Ruby Falls” in Chattanooga, Tennessee, you must ride a Westinghouse elevator that is almost 100 years old (or, you could just look at our cover). It is due for a modernization in 2023, and will be almost like new then.

We are blessed this issue because, while looking back at our illustrious past, we are also looking forward at the people who have helped get us to this point and will carry us forward. This is the People Issue, and I’m surprised to see I know only about a third of them. So many are clearly in the vanguard of our future. These people are nominated by the industry because they have impressed their coworkers. Regardless of physical location or whether they work in the office or the field, with numbers, words or both, the 14 VT industry professionals selected for this year’s People Issue have several traits in common. Without exception, they are leaders — lifelong learners and teachers full of smarts and determination who are passionate about the VT industry.

In addition, we covered several events, including the NAEC Spring Educational Conference which, according to author Angela C. Baldwin, enjoyed record attendance. A highlight of the event was Erik Zommers (senior vice president of the elevator and escalator division of Mitsubishi Electric U.S.) addressing the post-COVID “state of the industry.” In Finally Made It, Asansör İstanbul was reported on by Bülent Yılmaz. This was the first international trade fair held in person after three years apart. It was attended by more than 22,000, with more than a third international visitors.

In Get With the Program!, National Elevator Industry, Inc. Executive Director Amy Blankenbiller writes about the association’s work within states to pass all components of the Model Elevator Law including licensing, inspection, permitting and governance. Nor have we neglected continuing education. Here, we present Inspection of Elevator Ropes, Part 2 by Kevin Heling and Joseph Thompson. This new CE article tells you what factors to consider when replacing ropes. The author addresses the many variables in choosing replacement rope.

As usual it is a fully packed issue — just for you!