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Early in the history of lifting, the elevating of water and other material was considered more important than the lifting of humans. When workmen did ride it was often in the containers that moved material -- an ore bucket in the mine shaftway or on a rough platform dedicated to lifting goods in a mill. The Bible cites Saint Paul being lowered over the walls of Damascus in the dead of night in such baskets or even bags. These containers, normally used to supply food and goods to monasteries on precipitous heights, often did double-duty in transporting members of the order. When those of higher status in the broadening order of society were deemed sufficiently important, increasing thought was given to a more comfortable and secure container for their vertical travel. Enclosures kept passengers from falling out; then roof coverings protected their heads! Gates afforded additional protection. In the instance of royalty and the affluence of the commercial world, cars gave way to more elaborate cabins with decorative woods and sofas; perhaps even a chandelier. Hotels offered uniformed operators to tend the operating cable or the car switch. In time, even workmen were recognized as valued specialists and attention given their welfare as they traveled from floor to floor in the factories. The wainscoting grew higher, and a car top protected occupants from falling objects. Finally, thought was given to protection at the entranceway. As more consideration was given to transporting passengers than material, the cabin received increasing attention from the elevator manufacturer. As with the embryonic automobile, what the customer could see and touch became the most important. Factory Laws were enacted to protect the workers, some pertaining to lifts. Safety eventually became the primary byword within the elevator industry and features unseen were given as much attention as the details of the car -- hoist ropes, car safeties, governors, buffers, brakes -- many with heavy factors of safety and/or redundancy. Other Galleries in this Wing deal with the broad range of these safety items. We dwell here upon the passenger containers as they, along with the rope, are in the earliest history.
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