When Operator-less Elevators Faced Public Skepticism

Throughout history, removing humans from the driver’s seat has always been difficult

Today, we view elevators as completely safe — but it wasn’t always this way (freepik)

In 1852, Elisha Otis hoisted himself up in an elevator, then signaled for an assistant to slash through the cables.

The crowd screamed, but Otis only fell for a brief moment before the safety mechanisms kicked…