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Visitors touring the Elevator Museum have received their early impressions of the elevating technique from drawings that were rough at the outset. The sketches improved steadily as those with innate artistic ability and mechanical knowledge became adept at depicting the machinery or lifting process with realism. Eventually woodcuts and etchings passed on information concerning the industry with increased realism. As the creation of valid representations became less labor intensive an increasing number found their way into company brochures and catalogs, thus preserving information for future generations. The invention of the camera was a milestone event for those wishing to capture a true image of equipment or installations. The ease of photo taking and reproduction meant that every component, as well as the complete elevator or escalator installation, was preserved in detail. Photography became so engaging that, for the first time, pictures were taken of the environment in which the industry's equipment was manufactured and installed - the shop, the job site, the founders, the first product, the members of associations. Future generation would be able to comprehend the human nature aspects of the by-gone field in its totality. As wondrous as words were, the descriptions of the world surrounding the lifting mechanisms had remained sparse. It remained for the photographs to inform future generations of exactly "who" accomplished "what" in a particular environment. Now museum visitors of a present generation are able to truly visualize the industry and environs of the past generations. He who stated, "A picture is worth a thousand words" was sage, whether a Chinese or not! It is hoped that this Gallery will grow apace with photos of "founders and their companies/associates", "the original manufacturing site", the "honored seniors" and other human interest that will bring the elevator industry of the past to life. Man does not live by machinery alone!
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