ELECTRICITY also runs the ELEVATORS in skyscrapers. Workers put elevators in the center, or core, of the building. The elevators are very important in skyscrapers because they help people get to the floor they want. Some skyscrapers are more than 100 stories tall--and that is too many stairs for most people to climb every day!
What acts like an elevator in Tom's body? Move your mouse over the elevator to find out!
That's right: your HEART! The elevator core is at the center of the building like our HEART is at the center of our bodies. Our heart moves blood through our bodies like elevators move people through the building.
The elevator was invented in 1852 by a man named Elisha Graves Otis. Mr. Otis was fascinated with the lifts that were used in his time to move freight and people up to the higher floors of buildings. But he was sad every time he heard about people being hurt when the lift cables broke or slipped. So he worked hard to come up with a way to stop the elevator cars from falling if that happened. His great idea worked, and he formed the first elevator company in the United States. Today, Otis Elevators are found in skyscrapers all over the world.