Have you ever walked into a hotel or probably a multi-storey store and happened to see a mini elevator that wouldn’t possibly fit a human? If you have ever been surprised and wondered what this small lift is used for, this article is a must-read for you!
The small elevators you are seeing in hotels and other establishments are called dumbwaiters. From the name itself, you can probably tell what it does. A dumbwaiter lift is very similar to a typical elevator, only that it is made smaller. This is because it is not meant to carry people to other floors but rather, food, clothes and other supplies. Here are some amazing facts about this mechanism you should know about.
Dumbwaiters Started in Ancient Greek
The first-ever dumbwaiter was used in ancient Greece. Greeks used a platform and strong ropes to lift supplies up the walls through the use of several pulleys. The ropes are being pulled by several men depending on the weight of the cargo being lifted.
In the colosseum, a similar mechanism to a dumbwaiter lift but more like a traction lift is also used to carry bulls up the arena as well as carry fallen warriors off the arena.
Household Dumbwaiters are Used in France
The first interior dumbwaiter is used in France back in the 18th century. It was an idea from Thomas Jefferson to use the mechanism as a means to transport food to different levels of the house during dinner parties.
First Patented Dumbwaiter
The first patented dumbwaiter is introduced by George W. Cannon in 1887. It uses pulleys and counterbalances and can function without human force. The dumbwaiter is used for restaurant kitchens and is connected to the various floors of the establishment.
That’s about how dumbwaiters had evolved through time. Want to know more about dumbwaiter lifts or do you wish to install one in your business establishment? Contact Lift Works today!
