From Ascending Rooms to Express Elevators: A History of Passenger Elevator in the 19th Century

In today's fast-paced world of computer controlled equipment and space age technology, it is refreshing to read a book about the time when electricity was a novelty and backyard mechanics changed the world. This fascinating book traces the history of the passenger elevator in the U.S. from circa 1850 to 1900. The extensive research that went into this publication takes us from the technological origins of the freight hoists in England and the U.S. to the elevators and skyscrapers of 1880 - 1900. Gray does a thorough and comprehensive analysis of the factors and circumstances that allowed the skyscraper and modern city to become a reality. His skillful use of material gleaned from period newspaper articles, elevator patent applications and company catalogs provides the backbone of this substantial work. The inventor, the innovations, the companies, the buildings... they all played a part and Gray has chronicled events extensively. There are over 175 illustrations included as an added bonus.

Lee E. Gray is an Associate Professor of Architectural History in the School of Architecture and Associate Dean in the College of Arts + Architecture at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. He is the author of From Ascending Rooms to Express Elevators: A History of the Passenger Elevator in the 19th Century. Since 2003 he has written monthly articles on the history of vertical transportation for Elevator World magazine. Current projects include a book on the history of escalators and moving sidewalks and a history of AIA Charlotte.