To date, elevators have a history of over 150 years. During this period, elevators have been constantly evolving, with a wide variety of appearances: colors ranging from black and white to colorful, and styles from straight to inclined; in terms of technology, improvements have been made continuously: handle switch operation, button control, signal control, human-computer interaction, and so on. 
Nowadays, in every city of our country, elevators can be seen everywhere. The application of elevators has made our lives much more convenient. The accelerated development of China's modernization also cannot do without it as a guarantee. So, how did elevators develop step by step to where they are today? 
In fact, long ago, people began to study how to transport goods and people vertically using primitive tools. Around 1100 BC, the Chinese people invented the water wheel - a folk water lifting device. It utilized the rotational movement of the drum to achieve lifting and elevation of objects. 
In 236 BC, the renowned Greek mathematician, physicist and philosopher Archimedes designed a lifting device consisting of a winch and pulleys. This was similar to the ancient Chinese waterwheel, both capable of lifting objects. However, the driving force was usually provided by humans or animals, and it was quite laborious to use. 
By the 19th century, the invention of the steam engine provided new options for the power of lifting devices. Europe and America began to use it as the driving force. In 1845, William Thomson developed a hydraulic-driven elevator, with water as the driving medium. Throughout history, the innovation of elevators has never stopped. Generations of innovative pioneers have continuously improved elevators, but the elevators that can be universally recognized and used still haven't appeared. One of the key problems hindering the birth of elevators is their lack of safety. If the lifting cable of the elevator breaks, the loaded platform will fall and cause an accident. 
It was not until 1852 that the American Elihu Graves Otis developed the world's first safe elevator. Two years later, in 1854, at the World's Fair held in the Crystal Palace in New York, he presented his invention to the public for the first time. 
The performance was a success, and the word "safety" left a deep impression on people, which also gained the elevator the public's recognition. However, Otis' business did not boom because of this performance: in 1854, they only sold a few elevators; in 1855, only 15 were sold; and in 1856, only 27 were sold, and most of them were used for freight transportation. 
By March 1857, a passenger elevator was installed in a store on Broadway in New York that specialized in French porcelain and glassware. This was the world's first passenger elevator. The elevator was powered by steam and could carry a load of 500 kilograms. It moved at a speed of approximately 12 meters per minute, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful scenery while feeling comfortable. 
From this, it can be seen that elevators are still used by a minority of people. The reason for this is basically the lack of sufficient power! The application of electric drive has undoubtedly improved this situation. In 1889, elevators began to be driven by electricity, and this is the true elevator. In terms of drive control technology, elevators have gone through DC motor drive control, AC single-speed motor drive, and AC dual-speed motor drive control. There are two types of DC speed control: with gears and without gears. AC has gone through AC voltage regulation speed control, AC voltage transformation frequency conversion speed control, and AC permanent magnet synchronous motor frequency conversion speed control. DC elevators emerged in the late 19th century, and then AC induction motor-driven elevators appeared in the 20th century. By the middle and upper part of the 20th century, in medium and high-speed elevators, the DC speed control system accounted for a large proportion. 
Now let's focus on the development history of electrically-driven elevators, which are the true elevators. In 1900, elevators driven by AC motors were introduced. In 1902, the Swiss company Schindler developed the world's first button-operated automatic elevator. This type of elevator significantly improved its transportation capacity and safety, and the control method was fully automatic. 
In 1967, thyristors were applied to elevator drives, and AC voltage regulation and speed control-driven elevators emerged. In 1983, variable voltage and frequency control elevators were born. Compared with previous elevators, the variable voltage and frequency control has better speed regulation performance, is more energy-efficient, and is more comfortable. It once became the mainstream product of elevators. 

The development of elevators: Smooth and effortless ascent and descent. 
In 1996, another revolution occurred in elevator technology: the inorganic elevator driven by an AC permanent magnet synchronous gearless traction machine was introduced. This type of elevator is energy-efficient, oil-free, eliminates maintenance problems, and has high safety performance. The traction machine and control cabinet are placed in the shaft, eliminating the need for a large independent machine room, saving construction costs and increasing the effective area of the building. 
In May 2000, Schindler Elevator Company showcased a new product - an elevator without a machine room. It uses synthetic fiber traction ropes without steel wire cores to pull the car. Each traction rope is composed of approximately 300,000 fine fibers, yet it is 4 times lighter than traditional steel wires. Graphite fiber conductors are embedded in the ropes, allowing for monitoring of minor wear on the traction ropes. 
The non-hydraulic elevator is a highlight of the future elevator development. In the future, more developers are expected to choose non-hydraulic elevators, especially the fourth-generation non-hydraulic elevators. 
The development of elevators: Smooth and effortless ascent and descent. 
An escalator is a type of elevator. The world's first truly functioning escalator was successfully trial-produced on July 9, 1899. This was the result of collaboration between American designer Siegel and Otis Company: the steps were made of hardwood, the steps were horizontal, and there were movable handrails and comb plates. 
In 1900, at the International Exposition in Paris, France, this type of escalator achieved great success and was also highly regarded. The escalator designed by Jesse Reno was also receiving much attention. 
In April 2002, at the 5th China International Elevator Exhibition, Mitsubishi Electric Company displayed a model of an automatic escalator with high-speed operation in the inclined section. Due to the installation of a drive rack structure that can be hinged and telescopic, the spacing of the steps can change during operation, resulting in a change in speed. The speed of the inclined section is 1.5 times that of the horizontal section at the entrance and exit, which not only shortens the passenger's travel time but also enhances the safety and stability of boarding and alighting from the escalator. 
By 2003, Otis Company released a new type of escalator. The escalator technology was updated once again, adopting the Guarded step design: the steps and skirt panels became synchronized in operation. 
In China, the earliest elevator was installed in Shanghai in 1901, by the American Otis Company. Soon after, Tianjin became the second city to install elevators. In 1932, the American Otis Company installed elevators in the Ling Sheng De Hotel in Tianjin, and they are still operating safely to this day. 
Today, elevator companies around the world are still continuously developing new elevator models, conducting maintenance and repairs. The world of elevators is becoming increasingly diverse and fascinating. Various modern elevators with different forms and excellent functions are truly breathtaking: double-decker elevators not only save the space of the shaft but also enhance the transportation capacity; variable-speed automatic walkways and escalators save people's time, and without exception, all of them make people's lives more convenient.