1920's Otis Freight Elevator

What would you take up in this old freight elevator? Explore the hidden elements of a particular Otis elevator installed in a historic York, PA building, dating back to the 1920s-1930s. Operated through interconnected gate switches and continuous-pressure buttons, this short video provides a glimpse into the early 20th-century technology that helped our cities grow vertically.

Our featured model boasts the modern geared traction system by Otis, a pioneering invention from 1911 that dominated elevator mechanisms around the world for nearly a century. The exterior doors were manufactured by the Peelle Elevator Door Company from Brooklyn, NY, founded in 1905. You may notice the Otis elevator safety brake (U.S. Patent 31128A), which would engage should the geared lift components fail.

We're passionate about preserving interest in old machinery, and you can join the conversation by commenting below. As with most old equipment, there are many unknowns and slightly modified factory versions that may not be well documented; If you know something that we might not know about the model we’ve filmed, please share! This is not a paid promotion for the Otis Elevator Company – it's our genuine love for showcasing vintage marvels.

Have a unique piece of machinery you'd like us to feature? Reach out to us at www.patinapowerhouse.com.

#otis #otiselevator #VintageMachinery #MechanicalMarvels #TimelessMachines #ASMR #Engineering #patinapowerhouse #antique #nostalgia #machinery #behindthescenes #cinematography #history #oldmachinery