You might have seen that name and elevators.

He invented a clamping mechanism when the ropes used to hold up an elevator went slack.

His clamps would grip the elevators, guide rails, keeping it from crashing down.

The machine was invented in 18 53.

It was installed in the how It building a few years later, but in those years that followed, it revolutionized cities around the world.

Drop a working CIF from the 19th century in modern day New York.

What's the first thing he might notice?

Height.

In the last century, cities across the world have gotten taller much much.

At the start of the 20th century, you'd be hard pressed to find a building that was more than six stories high.

Who wants toe huff up a flight of stairs longer than that?

But then modern elevator arrived and builders raced towards the heavens, constructing massive office skyscrapers containing millions of square feet.

Sure, the basic idea was nothing new.

Primitive elevators have been around since 2 36 BC, but they relied on manpower lots of it.

By the mid 19 century, elevators were deriving their power from water and steam, but the ropes that they relied on were so reliable.

And that's where Otis comes in.

He developed a safety break that kept the elevator from free, falling in the rope broke.

It was an innovation that that transformed business.

Not only could people be shuttled up and down, but so could heavy frank.

Now companies could consolidate all of their operations and office furniture in a single building.

On that improved accountability, communication and efficiency, employees could shuttle from one department to another with the push of a button and a short vertical ride.

Industries likewise didn't have to compete for geographically important locations.

In the 18 sixties, New York City's financial district was so overcrowded they considered moving at home town.

But then the elevator came along and allowed walls grow up.