MUST WATCH: Fast 1914 Manual Otis Elevator in Chicago, IL.

This is one of the most amazing elevators I have ever seen. That is all.
TECH SPECS:
Brand: Otis
Model: N/A
Drive: DC Gearless Traction
Year Installed: 1914
Floors Served: 12
Capacity: 2000 lbs
Speed: 400 FPM
Doors: Manual Two-Speed / Gate

[@NeilPrasad_1905]

The BEST manually controlled elevator ever!

[@alpaljl]

Your explanation sums this one up very well.

[@Paramount531]

This reminds me of an unauthorized joyride that I took more than once on a beaten to crap manual freight elevator in the 1910 US Grant Hotel in San Diego. The operator was not amused as he waited for me to return with his elevator. I later brought him a peace offering of a case of beer. I just couldn't resist trying it. I also got to operate a sidewalk elevator.

[@SPS8elevatorsoflakecounty]

Hahaha

[@JimLiElevators]

Your reaction to this old historic piece of beauty was absolutely funny! 😂😂 It’s definitely a great elevator for sure, and I would indeed be you if I found something like this. :D

[@sircampbell1249]

1603 capital ave Cheyenne Wyoming, had or still has one, building cross street same

[@rodney1279TheFlip]

You be finding good elevators man. You make riding elevators fun. I have not seen an elevator like that since the manual on on Jackson and Michigan Avenue at the Dance Studio

[@VintageCollections]

Wow, what a find! Especially that cab, so ornate compared to today’s standards.

[@ElevateMN]

Wow.. amazing! I’ll be in Chicago in a couple weeks, I should do a little exploring as well. This is exactly like the elevator in the 4th and Pike building in Seattle I found a few years ago. The nice thing was my company had an office there at the time so I had free reign of the building after hours.

[@SPS8elevatorsoflakecounty]

That’s awesome. And yes, Chicago is certainly worth exploring!

[@CrossOfBayonne]

Otis elevators have always been well made and this is no execption, The company is still around now making them

[@Dana_Danarosana]

Wow! Pioneer Bldg..in St Paul had some manual Haughtons that were this fast but they got modded.

[@SPS8elevatorsoflakecounty]

That would have been amazing to see

[@Avi-zm3hz]

Bro you got be kidding me right now that’s is old elevator Omg

[@mannyistheman2221]

They will never build elevators of this quality ever again! The stuff they put in buildings today is absolute junk.

[@statecollegewx4060]

Nice

[@TheTheo58]

Certainly a fast vintage manually operated elevator. Gear-less traction were not unheard of in mid rise buildings, often when the smaller "baby traction machines were installed" with 2:1 roping. I am familiar with an Otis bird cage manually operated elevator, winding drum in the SF Bay Area installed in 1908 which I understand has been preserved, the building is an historical landmark. I presume the elevator in the video has a DC rectifier, I did not hear an MG set as the cab reached the top floor.

[@SPS8elevatorsoflakecounty]

There actually is an MG, it’s just pretty quiet I guess, but the machine room is caged off at the top of the stairwell, and you can see the MG in there. By the way, it uses a type 72 Gearless machine

[@Jowevator3219]

Are you thinking of the one at Odd Fellows Hall? If so, that one is awesome!

[@TheTheo58]

I've seen videos of machines rooms where MG sets were in use, yes some of them are very quiet in operation. Much depends on the condition of the bearings, communicator, armature,shafts, brushes. I remember the story of one bad MG at my old job the bearing blocks were shot, horrible noise. @@SPS8elevatorsoflakecounty

[@TheTheo58]

The building was the Atchson physician building near UC Berkeley. on University Avenue. Berkeley ACE Hardware which has been there for decades relocated, building was demolished to build a 270 unit student housing. Atchson building was repurposed for housing. @@Jowevator3219

[@danmoser4399]

Wow! Can you share where this is located; would be worth a trip to Chicago to experience this awesome elevator.

[@SPS8elevatorsoflakecounty]

I’ll admit, it’s pretty hard to get to this elevator. The building is private and I had to get permission to be in here.

[@QuarioQuario54321]

Where was the operator?

[@SPS8elevatorsoflakecounty]

There was none, this elevator is available for use by people in the building whenever it is needed.

[@Jowevator3219]

Me, I am the operator

[@user-tw4vi3uv1r]

@@SPS8elevatorsoflakecounty can manual elevators even be used without operators if the passengers know how to operate one