Dr. Lee Gray
Dr. Lee Gray, professor of Architectural History and senior associate dean of the College of Arts + Architecture at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, has written more than 200 monthly articles on the history of vertical transportation (VT) for ELEVATOR WORLD since 2003. He is also the author of From Ascending Rooms to Express Elevators: A History of the Passenger Elevator in the 19th Century. He also serves as curator of theelevatormuseum.org, created by Elevator World, Inc.
California’s Elevator Safety Orders, 1915-1918
This History article explores a state industrial commission focused on developing safety codes. In 1915, the Industrial Accident Commission of the State of California launched an ambitious initiative focused on...
Elisha Otis at Crystal Palace, Part 2
Historical importance of the 1854 exhibition in New York Last month’s history article, “Elisha Otis’ Improved Elevator at the New York Crystal Palace,” explored what actually happened at Otis’ 1854...
Elisha Otis’ “Improved Elevator”
Examining the “facts” from the New York Crystal Palace Exhibition The story of Elisha Otis’ exhibition of his “improved elevator” at the New York Crystal Palace in 1854 is found...
The Montmorency Escalator in Le Havre
In this History article, your author describes an early 20th century French transportation system. In the early 1920s, the city of Le Havre, France, began the search for an urban...
Elevator Brakes 1895-1927
In this History article, your author provides a brief presentation of early brake systems. The first edition of Frederick A. Annett’s well-known book on electric elevators appeared in 1927. Annett...
Elevators As Communications Systems
In this History article, your author examines a lesser-known application of VT technology. The editorial focus of this month’s issue is Communications Systems. While this subject has a rich history...
The A17.1 Centennial
A complex story meaningfully told Centennial celebrations offer unique opportunities to pause, look backward (and forward) and reflect on the meaning and importance of past events. The new Elevator World,...
Elevator Entrapments in the United States: 1880-1930
Reports of passengers being caught had become fairly common in VT’s early days. In 1880, a humorous short story titled “The Gay Widow” appeared in numerous American newspapers. The story...
A Special Effects Elevator
Exploring the entertainment side of VT Elevator patents, from the 19th century to the present, typically include an introduction that explains the basis, need and/or rationale for the proposed invention....
Hydraulic Elevators in Europe and the U.S.
In this History article, we learn that VT technology was an international story from the very beginning. The history of vertical-transportation (VT) technology has, from the very beginning, been an...
