Elevators
The Subconscious Fat of Elevator History, looking back to see ahead
Mr. Skeptical walks over to me and looks at my screen. “You’re going to talk about elevators?”
“Yes, I am.”
Mr. Skeptical sits down with a smirk. “Well, I’m curious how you connect elevators to working out or going carnivore.”
“I’m not.”
With sarcastic undertones, he responds, “Really! I find that hard to believe.”
“Elevators have a fascinating past, and by looking at elevator history, we can see a likely future for other technologies. There’s much Subconscious Fat to uncover.”
Mr. Skeptical puckers his lips and squints at me: the very definition of skepticism.
He’s such an idiot.
Subconscious Fat at 30,000 Feet
The modern world is built vertically, with skyscrapers dominating cityscapes, all thanks to a small, boxy invention we often take for granted—the elevator. But imagine, for a moment, living in a time when stepping into an elevator was a harrowing experience. When elevators first appeared in the late 19th century, the idea of being lifted hundreds of feet into the air by a mechanical box was terrifying to most people. The fear of plummeting to their deaths was not just a dramatic thought but a genuine concern.
But innovation, as it often does, eventually won out over fear. Introducing safety mechanisms, such as Elisha Otis’s fail-safe brake in 1853, gradually turned elevators from death traps into reliable convenience tools. Yet, the road to widespread acceptance was not an overnight journey. It took decades for the public to trust these vertical transports, with early adopters leading a movement that would reshape our urban landscapes forever.
Subconscious Fat at 10,000 Feet
Mr. Skeptical folds his arms. "So you're saying people were once scared of elevators? Seems a bit ridiculous, don't you think?"
“It might sound ridiculous now, but it was a serious issue back then. In the late 1800s, as buildings grew taller, the need for efficient vertical transportation became evident. However, the public's hesitation was palpable. People were wary of these new contraptions, much like some are cautious about self-driving cars today. It wasn’t just about the technology but the psychological hurdle of trusting one's life to a machine.
The breakthrough came with developing safety mechanisms that made elevators safer and more reliable. By the early 20th century, elevators were slowly becoming a standard feature in multi-story buildings. But even then, acceptance wasn’t universal. It took until after World War II, when urbanization boomed, for a strike to happen before elevators became as commonplace as today.
Subconscious Fat at Eye-Level
Mr. Skeptical leans in closer, unfolding his arms. “A strike?”
“Yes. The 1945 New York City elevator operators strike—a pivotal moment in the history of labor and automation. The strike lasted for several days and brought the city to a standstill. Thousands of workers left the job, demanding better pay and working conditions. The result? Chaos in high-rise buildings as people had to navigate stairs or wait endlessly for the few remaining operators.”
“The elevator operators were striking because they had to press a button?”
“Back then, not all elevators were that simple to use. Some of them required a level to be used to control the speed of the elevator. But here’s where it gets interesting. This strike accelerated the push toward fully automated elevators. Building owners, frustrated by the disruption, began investing in technology that would eliminate the need for operators. By the 1950s, self-service elevators became the norm, and the role of the elevator operator largely vanished.”
“Hmm, interesting, so the elevator strike led to the elevator operators putting themselves out of business.”
“Yes, that is essentially what happened. Now, let’s fast forward to today and look at self-driving cars. The parallels are striking. Just as people once feared riding in an elevator without an operator, there’s a similar apprehension about getting into a car without a driver. The 1945 strike is a historical reminder of how labor movements and technological advancements often intersect, sometimes pushing society forward unexpectedly.
Practical Suggestions and Conclusions
What can we learn from the history of elevators and the 1945 strike?
Trust in Technology: Just as it took people time to trust elevators, the same will be valid for self-driving cars. Patience, education, and gradual adoption will be essential.
The Role of Labor Movements: The 1945 strike shows that workers can influence the direction of technology. As automation becomes more prevalent, similar movements could shape the future of various industries.
Adapting to Change: Society must be ready to adapt to technological advancements. The transition to self-driving cars, like the move to automated elevators, will require a cultural shift and a rethinking of norms. This is one reason elevator music is dull: to ease fear.
Ultimately, elevators revolutionized how we build and live, just as self-driving cars might transform how we move and interact with our world. The journey from fear to acceptance is never easy, but it’s a necessary step toward progress.
Mr. Skeptical adds, “Before there were elevators, it must have been tough for people to go up so many stairs.”
“It was tough. Before elevators, the top floors of a building were the cheapest one could buy or rent. Next time you step into an elevator, you're experiencing a small piece of history—a story of innovation, fear, and eventual acceptance.”
"I'll keep that in mind... as long as the elevator doesn't get stuck."
“Well, if it does, at least you won't need to strike for better conditions!”
The leap from elevators to self-driving cars might seem far-fetched, but history often repeats itself unexpectedly. Stay curious and keep challenging the norm—sometimes, it’s the only way to rise above it.
Be aware.
PS Links on Facebook and Instagram. Instagram LIVE workout every Tuesday at noon Eastern time. Full disclosure: Chat GPT was used to research and enhance this post.
PSS This post came out earlier than it was supposed to today at 11:17 AM when it was supposed to come out at 11:57 AM, so I unpublished it and had it come out at 11:57 AM. Sorry if you got two of the same emails. I also want to thank those of you who are helping me reach 500 subscribers. I’m up to 499 now. I need just one more subscriber to hit 500. A new Meat Up event is set for September 25. This will be the first fully online event, and it will be with Mentality Matters, a non-profit organization.
Sorry but I’ll never trust self driving cars