When my grandfather Raffaele was a child, riding an elevator was an adventure. Not because of the dizzying climb, but because of the reassuring presence of the elevator operator. With his impeccable uniform and precise gestures, he was the guarantor of our safety in that cabin suspended between the floors. In Italy, elevator operators were common in residential and commercial buildings, especially in large urban centers such as Rome, Milan, and Naples. Their presence was necessary to ensure the operation of the elevators, which at the time were not yet automated.
Today, as I absentmindedly press the buttons of the automatic elevator, I ask myself: how did we overcome the fear of trusting an unmanned machine? There is an interesting reflection di Davide Casaleggio su LinkedIn which puts the question in dry but effective terms: the elevator, he says, ultimately It was the first autonomous vehicle we tested.
This is why the demise of elevator operators is not just the story of an extinct profession, but the story of how we learned to trust technology. From the “deadman’s crank” to computerized systems, the journey of elevators is also the journey of our society toward the acceptance of automation. On the eve of the era of driverless cars, what lessons can we learn from this “traumatic” change of the past?
The Golden Age of Elevator Operators
Elevator operators dominated the urban scene for a significant portion of the 20th century. Their profession was born with the advent of electric elevators in the early 900s, when each cabin required a dedicated operator. They were not simple “vertical drivers”, but real ambassadors of the buildings in which they worked.
It fascinates me to think about how central this professional figure was to people’s daily lives. Elevator operators not only controlled the speed and direction of the cabin, but also announced floors, manually opened and closed doors, and often acted as impromptu tour guides for visitors. They were the custodians of a rapidly expanding vertical world.
Their presence was so ingrained in society that many could not even imagine an elevator without its operator. It was a matter of safety, of course, but also of comfort and social status. Elevator operators were the eyes and ears of the buildings, they knew all the tenants and their schedules, and often also performed security and surveillance functions.
The training and social role of elevator operators
Not everyone knows that becoming an elevator operator required specific training. In many cases, the companies that owned the buildings or the elevator companies offered training courses for their operators. These courses covered not only the technical aspects of the job, but also the social skills needed to interact with the public.
In some cases, mostly in the US and especially for elevator operators who worked in luxury hotels or prestigious buildings, they were also required to attend a “charm school.” Here they learned etiquette, how to handle delicate situations and how to provide impeccable service to the most demanding customers.
This aspect of the profession also recalls how important the social role of elevator operators was, who contributed significantly to the atmosphere and reputation of important places.
The strike that changed everything
The turning point, perhaps worldwide, for the profession of elevator operators was the strike Part 1945 in New York. For a whole week, about 15.000 elevator operators, janitors, and maintenance workers folded their arms, literally paralyzing the city.
Even mail delivery stopped, and the U.S. federal government lost about $8 million a day in tax revenue.
This event highlighted how dependent society was on this professional figure. At the same time, however, it prompted many to wonder if it was time to find an automated alternative.
The strike had a huge impact: it is estimated that it caused an economic loss of about 100 million dollars at the time for the city, with over a million workers forced to stay home or protest in the streets in solidarity. It was so serious that the governor Thomas Dewey he had to intervene personally to resolve the situation. I don't know about you, but it reminded me of modern taxi strikes.
The impact of the strike, however, went far beyond the immediate economic losses. It was a moment of profound reflection for American society, which suddenly found itself confronted with its dependence on a single occupational category. This realization accelerated efforts to develop and implement automatic elevators, beginning a transition that would forever change the face of our cities.
The Transition to Automation
The transition to automatic elevators was not immediate. People were understandably wary: the idea of climbing into a suspended metal box without a human operator seemed dangerous.
The introduction of safety features such as the emergency telephone and the stop button helped to gain public trust. It strikes me how revolutionary and reassuring these innovations, which we take for granted today, were at the time.
La Otis Elevator Company played a fundamental role in this transition. In 1950, installed the first fully automated elevator in theAtlantic Refining Building of Dallas, Texas. This event marked the beginning of the end for elevator engineers, although it would take decades for the profession to disappear entirely.
The automation process was gradual and not without resistance. Many buildings kept elevator operators alongside the new automatic systems for a transition period, allowing passengers to gradually get used to the idea of an unmanned elevator. This strategy proved crucial in overcoming initial fears and building public confidence in the new technology.
The last bastions
As mentioned, despite the advance of automation, elevators did not disappear overnight. In many prestigious buildings, especially luxury hotels and historic skyscrapers, they remained as a symbol of elite status and service.
Even today, in very few particular places, it is possible to meet these “cabin guardians”. Even in public elevators, such as those in cities like Lisbon (Portugal) o Valparaiso (Chile). They are living relics of a bygone era, but also witnesses to how certain professions can reinvent themselves and survive in the age of automation.
In the famous Empire State Building in New York, until a few years ago it was possible to meet real elevator operators. Their presence was no longer a technical necessity, but a tribute to the history and tradition of the skyscraper. In some cases, elevator operators have become almost mythical figures, symbols of an era in which personalized service was the norm.
In some luxury hotels, the presence of an elevator operator is still considered a sign of exclusivity and customer care, a human touch in an increasingly automated world.
Safety and risk perception
An interesting aspect of the history of elevator operators is how it has influenced our perception of risk. Today elevators are considered one of the safest means of transportation, with an average of only 27 deaths per year in the United States, most of which occurs during maintenance, against nearly 1.600 deaths caused by falls on stairs.
Yet, at first, the idea of an operatorless elevator seemed terrifying. This makes us think about how the perception of risk may be influenced more by familiarity than by actual danger. Another interesting parallel with current concerns about self-driving cars.
The transition to automatic elevators required not only technological innovations, but also a change in people's mentality. It took convincing the public that a machine could be as safe, if not safer, than a human operator. This process of acceptance and adaptation offers valuable lessons for introducing other autonomous technologies into our daily lives.
The impact on architecture and urban design
The disappearance of elevator operators has also had a significant impact on architecture and building design, for better or worse.
With automation, elevator cabins could be smaller and more efficient, allowing architects to design even taller skyscrapers.
On the other hand, eliminating the need for a human operator has led to a rethinking of common spaces in buildings. Elevator waiting areas, once places of social interaction, they have become more anonymous transit spaces. This change reflects a broader transformation of urban life, where efficiency and speed have often taken precedence over human interaction.
The End of Elevator Operators: Lessons for the Future
The story of elevator operators offers interesting insights into our relationship with technology. As a society, we have learned to trust machines that transport us vertically without human supervision. Now, we face a similar challenge with self-driving cars.
I wonder: how long will it take before getting into a driverless car becomes as natural as pushing an elevator button? History teaches us that accepting new technologies takes time, but also that we are capable of adapting and overcoming our initial fears.
The COVID-19 pandemic may have played a similar role to the 1945 elevator strike. They made us eager not to depend too much on space, distance, services. And not to live chained to a desk. Autonomous vehicle companies are already proving their utility through contactless delivery services. Could this be the catalyst that accelerates public acceptance of this technology?
Rethinking Work in the Age of Automation
Another thing that the disappearance of elevator operators can remind us: technological progress can make entire professional categories obsolete. At the same time, however, it creates new opportunities. Elevator engineers became maintenance technicians, safety system designers, vertical logistics experts.
This story invites us to consider how we can prepare the workforce for the challenges of the future. Adaptability and continuous learning will be increasingly crucial in a rapidly evolving technological world.
I think about today’s taxi drivers and truck drivers: how will they reinvent themselves in a world of autonomous vehicles? What new professions will emerge from this technological revolution?
The elevator operator transition can offer us a model for how to manage these changes. The importance of a smooth transition, of retraining programs and policies that support workers During these times of change are lessons we must apply to current and future challenges.
The cultural impact
The disappearance of elevator operators had not only technological and economic implications, but also cultural ones. Elevator operators were often reference figures in buildings, they knew all the tenants and helped create a sense of community.
Their absence has changed the way we interact in public spaces. The elevator has become a non-place, a transit space where more than a few words are rarely exchanged. I wonder if the advent of autonomous cars will have a similar impact on the way we experience cities and interact with others.
This shift invites us to reflect on how technology shapes our social interactions. As we gain in efficiency, what do we lose in terms of human connection? How can we design our cities and public spaces to balance the benefits of automation with the human need for interaction and community?
The Ethics of Automation
The transition from elevator operators to automatic elevators also raises ethical questions that are still relevant today. When is it acceptable to replace human labor with machines? How do we balance efficiency and progress with social responsibility?
These questions are especially pertinent in the age of artificial intelligence and advanced automation. The story of elevator operators reminds us that these are not just technological questions, but also profoundly ethical and social ones.
The Future of Vertical (and Horizontal) Mobility
As we consider the shift from elevator operators to automatic elevators, it is also interesting to consider the future of vertical mobility. New technologies such as magnetic levitation elevators or multi-directional transportation systems are emerging, promising to once again revolutionize the way we move around buildings.
These innovations may require new forms of human interaction and new types of work. Perhaps we will see the emergence of new professions related to vertical mobility.
In conclusion, the story of the elevator operators is not just a piece of urban nostalgia. It is a reminder of how society can adapt to technological change, overcoming fears and initial resistance. We would do well to remember this lesson from the past: technology can scare us, but in the end we always learn to trust it, especially when it proves to make our lives safer and more comfortable.
The self-driving elevator was our first step towards the acceptance of autonomous vehicles. This story is an example of how innovation, despite initial resistance, can be perfectly integrated into our daily lives. The challenge, as always, will be to manage this transition in a way that maximizes its benefits and minimizes its social costs.
The history of elevator operators teaches us that technological progress is inevitable, but how we manage it is a choice.