Everything You Should Know About The History of Lift Repairs

You've probably encountered an elevator, or a lift at some point in your life. They have become an integral part of many building structures, now being incorporated into so many modern buildings. Lifts and elevators have been around for hundreds of years, and we're here to tell you all about it.

As lifts have become increasingly popular, it's important to have the right repair services and maintenance techniques. Our blog dives into the origin of lifts, where they came from and how the maintenance of lifts has changed over time. To learn more about lift repairs and maintenance over time, keep on reading our blog!

A History Of Lifts

It's easy to think of lifts as a recent invention, but the fact is, they've been around for longer than you might realise! The first types of lifts can be dated back to Ancient Egypt, and the construction of the pyramids. Rope & pulley systems would have been used back then, to hoist the materials needed to create the pyramids, reaching great heights. They may have also used rope and pulley systems to lift other tools and materials during construction.

And it wasn't just the Ancient Egyptians who were using these systems. According to old texts, Archimedes the Greek mathematician created a lift back in 236 B.C. This was a lift that was operated by ropes that were wound around a drum, and rotated via manpower. In the Roman times, it was also thought that lifts may have been used to bring gladiators and animals into competitive arenas.

The first lift that was designed purely for human passengers was in 1743. Louis XI had a 'flying chair' built to secretly transport his mistresses between rooms. This was one of the first lift mechanisms purely designed for humans.

The Industrial Revolution

During the Industrial Revolution, lifts remained at a bit of a standstill, up until the Enlightenment era. This was a widely known era of artistic, scientific and technological discoveries. During this time, in 1765, the next big development for the lift was the steam engine invention. This became a catalyst for the lift systems we know and encounter today. The steam engine allowed lifts to transport heavier goods for longer distances, and the first steam-powered commercial lift was built in 1823. It was named 'The Ascending Room' and was opened in London 1829. It allowed passengers to view the London skyline from higher above than ever before.

Victorian Era

During the Victorian times, there were lots of advancements in technology, which could also be applied to lifts. The first hydraulic cargo lift was developed in 1846, using water pumps to create pressure, raising and lowering the platform. This wasn't the safest mechanism to use for a lift, but safety was not a massive concern during these times.

The development of lifts in these times encountered many problems. The speed and height which lifts were being used to reach were often not deemed safe, and many people became scared to travel in them. The cables holding up the lift were very prone to breaking, resulting in lots of injuries.

But, as time went on, safety became more of a pressing matter when it came to lift travel.

Lift Repairs: Changes Over Time

Lift repairs and maintenance have changed drastically over the course of time. From the early days to now, so much has changed. Read below to discover more.

Early Lift Repairs

Back in older times, lift maintenance and routine servicing would have been unheard of. Safety was not a massive consideration during these times, and even lift repairs were not carried out particularly safely. People repairing lifts would often have to physically climb down onto the elevator shaft to fix the issue. Without any of the technology that we have today, they mostly had to rely on their knowledge to resolve these problems. Parts for these lifts were often custom made or adjusted during the repair, making for pretty risky repairs that may not fully resolve the issue.

Technicians fixing these lifts needed to have an understanding of pulley systems and counterweights, as this is what was used to operate the lifts.

Today

This is a huge contrast to modern times. Nowadays, safety is a key part of lift maintenance and repair services. With advancements in technology, we have created more ways to manage and look after lift systems, as well as our lift systems being far more reliable. There are far fewer instances of lifts breaking, or even having problems, due to our developed understanding of these systems.

Being able to maintain and repair lifts is also a lot easier nowadays because of the standardisation in lifts and elevators! With more of these machines around the world, and found more frequently in buildings, there is much better access to parts, which helps lift engineers massively. Better tools and equipment are now available, making these repairs less risky and less time consuming.

How Has Technology Revolutionised Lift Repairs?

It’s no secret that technology has been advancing in various aspects of our lives, and repair services are no exception! Advancements in technology have opened up a range of options for lift engineers to carry out repairs and elevator maintenance nowadays. Read below to learn more about the role of technology in lift repairs.

Predictive Maintenance

Predictive maintenance techniques can massively help in lift maintenance industries, and they have revolutionised how lift engineers can take care of your machines. Traditional maintenance methods relied on inspections and regular servicing appointments to keep lifts safe and in order.

However, with the rise of technological advancements, lift maintenance companies are able to look at real-time data, allowing them to predict when lifts may encounter problems and need additional maintenance. High quality sensors and advanced algorithms allow companies to monitor the motor performance, door operations and vibrations in the lift. This helps them identify any potential problems ahead of time, and before your lift breaks down.

Remote Monitoring

Remote monitoring has really changed the game when it comes to lift maintenance. Companies that remotely monitor lift systems are able to receive real time data, notifications and alerts regarding any potential faults in the system.

This allows lift companies the chance to save on time as resources, as they can address the lift problems sooner rather than later. This is also good for the building which the lift system is in, as it reduces downtime by getting to the lift and fixing the problem before it worsens. Remote monitoring goes hand in hand with predictive maintenance, allowing lift companies to sort out the problems in a timely manner.

Better Safety Features

It's no secret that as time has gone on, better safety features for lifts have been developed. Lifts now come equipped with CCTV cameras, emergency communication systems and access control systems. Unlike the past, lift safety has become increasingly important, and passenger safety is now one of the key factors in lift design.

From anti-slip flooring to safety hand rails and emergency systems, lifts are now built with safety in mind. Preventative maintenance and remote monitoring capabilities have also allowed lift companies and buildings to stay on top of lift safety and keep passengers safe at all times!

Eternal Elevators: Quality Elevator Maintenance & Professional Lift Engineers

Lift repairs are crucial, and maintaining safety in your lift is extremely important. Here at Eternal Elevators, we offer a range of lift related services to help your lift machinery stay in tip top condition. From lift maintenance and refurbishments to brand new lift installations, we’ve got you covered.

Our team of professional engineers deliver quality maintenance and repair services 24/7 throughout Scotland, no matter what kind of venue you have. From hotels to gyms, bars to shops, we’re here to help.

To learn more about our services, you can visit our website to read more about who we are. For any further enquiries and information, feel free to contact the team here at Eternal Elevators today!