The cut rope
At an exhibition in New York in 1854, Otis stepped onto a platform and had the rope cut, and the platform stayed where it was. People came to believe that lifts were safe. Buildings could now grow upwards.
How the brake works
If the car speeds up beyond the permitted limit, a speed governor applies the brakes, which wedge themselves against the guide rails. The principle is still used today.
Modern lifts
Today's lifts are controlled by a computer that groups journeys by destination floor. In the tallest buildings they travel at more than 70 km/h.