This page was created by Ray Li.
Legacy and Impact
In 1930, the Woolworth Building lost its status as the tallest building in the world after the opening of the Chrysler Building and 40 Wall Street. Otis would receive contracts to install gearless traction elevators in both skyscrapers. Other iconic buildings constructed during the late 1900’s, such as the Empire State Building, Willis Tower, and World Trade Center, would all utilize the Otis gearless traction system. Safety mechanisms used in the Woolworth Building, such as the air cushions and Norton Elevator Door Closers, would also become standard in future buildings.
The gearless traction elevator still remains the most common system today due to its efficiency and low cost.[2] Further advancements in electric motor and cable designs have increased elevator speeds to up to 2,000 feet a minute.[3] The current tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa, utilizes a system of fifty seven Otis gearless traction elevators to shuttle passengers through its 163 floors. The elevators can travel up to 1,969 feet a minute and have a 100 ton carrying capacity. A number of the elevators also have double deck cars, consisting of two cars attached on top of one another. Although they were not used in the Woolworth Building, Otis would introduce this new system in the Empire State Building.
Other variations of the gearless traction elevator have also emerged. The most common of these is the machine room less elevator. Traditional traction elevators have a machine room located above the elevator shaft that houses the sheave and motors. This room is eliminated in the machine room less design. The lifting mechanism is installed directly inside the shaft along with the elevator car. Although this new design saves space, it is not commonly used due to its higher cost and slower speeds.31
