Archimedes, an ancient Greek inventor, is credited as the first elevator inventor. The earliest known record of elevators referencing Archimedes's invention dates back to around 200 B.C.

Around 300 BC, primitive elevators powered by water wheels, animals, or people were invented. This type of elevator was used for almost 2,000 years.

In 1743, the first human-powered, counter-weighted, personal elevator was constructed for King Louis XV of France. It connected his apartment in Versailles to that of his mistress, Madame de Chateauroux, who resided one floor above him.

In 1793, Ivan Kulibin constructed the first screw-drive elevator, a significant advancement in elevator technology. This elevator was intended for installation in the Winter Palace in Russia.

In 1823, Burton and Hornor constructed the first major passenger elevator, revolutionizing vertical transportation in buildings.

The 'Teagle' belt-driven, counterweighted, steam-driven lift was developed in England by Frost and Stutt, improving vertical transportation systems.

In 1850, Henry Waterman in New York City invented the 'standing Rope Control,' allowing the control of elevators using a rope driven by a person in the cabin or on the floor.

George Fox and Company of Boston introduced the concept of using a self-locking worm gear to drive an elevator drum hoist.

Otis Elevator Company is established by Otis, becoming the world's leading elevator manufacturer. The company's innovative technology has contributed to the development of elevators, enabling buildings to reach new heights and opening up new possibilities for America.

In 1853, company founder Elisha Graves Otis sells his first elevator after inventing the elevator safety brake, revolutionizing the safe movement of freight between floors.

Elisha Graves Otis invented the elevator brake mechanism in 1854, which prevented the cab from falling if the cable broke, ensuring safety in elevator travel. His invention revolutionized the industry and is still used in modern elevators.

William H. Thompson and Eustus P. Morgan patented a system of sliding or hinged hatch doors known as 'Safety hatch for warehouses,' which aimed to reduce the spread of fire.

On March 23, 1857, Eder Haughwout opened an upscale department store in New York City and equipped the five-story building with Otis' first passenger elevator.

In 1859, Otis Tufts obtained a patent (n°25061) for an elevator design, establishing him as the true inventor of the complete lift for passengers. This event contrasts with the misconception that Elisha Graves Otis was the elevator inventor.

Augusto Stigler established an engineering company in Milan, with the first Stigler electric elevator being installed in 1898.

In 1861, Elisha Otis obtained a patent for a steam elevator, a significant advancement in elevator technology that contributed to the construction of skyscrapers.

Cities with major sea ports like New York face space issues for goods, commercial activities, and homes. This leads to the construction of buildings with several floors dedicated to different needs, necessitating the use of elevators for vertical movement. The demand for space drives the rapid advancement of civil elevator technology.

William Miller patented the first elevator that utilized a worm rack integral with the car platform for lifting and preventing falls.

William Smith of Philadelphia patented the first worm-driven winding drum, a significant development in elevator technology.

The Grand Hotel in Paris installed hydraulic elevators, requiring a gas engine to maintain water pressure due to low city pressure. The system was later replaced by Leon Edoux.

Otis Tufts developed a system of spring-loaded roller guides for elevators, ensuring a snug fit and reducing sway or binding. He also patented improvements in guide rails for a smoother ride.

In 1867, Charles and Norton Otis change the company's name to Otis Brothers & Company, originally named the Union Elevator and General Machine Works by Elisha Otis.

The construction of the New York City subway system commenced in 1868, marking a significant milestone in urban transportation development.

William E. Hale patented and introduced the innovative 'Hale Water-Balance Elevator' in Chicago, utilizing gravity as a key operational force.

In 1870, the Equitable Life Assurance Society Building in New York City became the first to have passenger elevators specifically designed for office building use, costing less than $30,000. Almost 2,500 people used the elevators on the first day.

In 1871, Albert Lucius of New York City patented the first hydraulic-driven rack and pinion utilizing a horizontal cylinder, contributing to elevator technology advancement.

The first vertical geared hydraulic elevator was installed in New York City in 1872, marking a milestone in elevator technology advancement.

J.W. Meeker was granted U.S. Patent No. 147,853 in 1874 for counter-balanced steel doors designed to protect freight elevator hoistways, enhancing safety and functionality in vertical transportation.

Robert Schindler founded Schindler, which later became the world's second-largest elevator manufacturer, by opening a machine shop on an island in the River Reuss near Lucerne.

German mining engineer Friedrich Koepe invented the traction drive in the Ruhr Area, as per German Patent No. 218. This invention revolutionized elevator technology.

In 1878, Otis introduced a roped hydraulic elevator that significantly increased speeds to 244 meters (800 ft) per minute. This innovation marked a milestone in elevator technology, enhancing vertical transportation efficiency.

In 1880, Werner von Siemens created the first electric elevator, a significant technological advancement that transformed the elevator industry.

Werner von Siemens connected a steam engine to a dynamo, showcasing advancements in power generation technology.

Englishman Hart developed the idea of a continuous human bucket elevator called 'The Paternoster.'

In 1884, Otis purchased the American Elevator Company and expanded its operations by establishing sales offices throughout Europe. This move played a crucial role in the global expansion of elevator technology.

Twenty-one years after the Statue of Liberty was dedicated, Otis installs the monument's first elevator to transport visitors from the base to the top of the stone pedestal. Visitors can choose to walk the remaining 377 steps to the crown.

In 1887, Otis won the contract to supply elevators for the North and South pillars of the Eiffel Tower, which was the centerpiece of the 1889 Exposition Universelle in Paris. The unique technical challenge posed by the curvature of the Tower's pillars was successfully met by Otis.

In 1888, Otis installed a steam-powered elevator in the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., allowing visitors to reach the top in just 12 minutes when the monument opened to the public.

On January 23, 1889, Otis developed the gear-less traction system involving cables and electricity, which later became the most common way to run an elevator. This innovation revolutionized the elevator industry by improving efficiency and safety.

Otis entered the U.K. market under the name American Elevator Company, expanding its presence internationally.

Roux-Compaluzier built a direct-action hydraulic in Paris' Alma Hippodrome to lift lions from cages into the arena in a reenactment of the Christian martyrs in the Roman Coliseum.

Forty-eight electric elevators manufactured by the Sprague Elevator Company of Watessing, New Jersey, were the first to be installed in the London Underground, marking a significant advancement in vertical transportation technology.

At the Chicago Columbian Exposition, Jesse Reno presented his 'mobile ramp,' and Otis displayed an electric directed-connected drum including a range of safety devices. An electric train conveyed visitors on a track that looped around the fairgrounds and a rudimentary moving sidewalk carried those entering from the pier.

Waygood introduced a 'triple-jigger' hydraulic lift in 1894, featuring a water-saving mechanism that utilized only the necessary number of pistons, showcasing advancements in lift technology.

August L. Duwelius was awarded U.S. Patent No. 595874 in 1897 for his innovative gearless machine concept, revolutionizing elevator technology and improving operational efficiency.

In 1898, Otis and 13 other companies merged to create a new entity known as The Otis Elevator Company, incorporated in New Jersey. Norton Otis served as the board chairman and William Delavan Baldwin as the president of the company, which had a market capitalization of $11 million at the time.

Charles Seeberger trademarks the word 'escalator' in 1899 after coining it to describe the Otis moving staircase at the Exposition Universelle in Paris. However, the trademark is nullified by a U.S. federal court 50 years later due to its generic use.

In 1900, an Otis moving staircase designed by equipment inventor Charles Seeberger wins the Grand Prix at the Exposition Universelle in Paris. Seeberger also coins the word 'escalator,' which later becomes generic.

The first Otis electric drum machine elevator was imported to Japan and installed in Nihon Seimei Building, now housed in the Tokyo National Museum.

Otis installed the first direct plunger elevators for high-rise passenger service.

On February 17, 1903, Otis invented an elevator that laid the foundation for today's modern elevator design. This innovation marked a significant advancement in the elevator technology, shaping the way elevators are built and operated.

Otis introduced its gearless elevator machine, revolutionizing elevator technology.

Norton Otis, aged 63, passes away from cancer in 1905. Just 23 months prior to his death, he had been elected as a U.S. congressman.

G. Falconi established his elevator business in Milan, contributing to the elevator industry in Italy.

Otis installed the first collective push button control system, enhancing elevator operation efficiency.

In 1910, Otis installs its first elevator in Korea at the Chosun Bank in Seoul. This elevator is specifically used to move currency from floor to floor.

In 1915, Otis developed a leveling device for the U.S. Navy that automatically aligns a ship's elevator with the dock, making cargo loading easier during rough seas. This technology was later adapted for passenger elevators to enhance safety.

On March 18, 1920, Otis traded on the New York Stock Exchange for the first time, closing at U.S. $144 a share with a volume of 800 shares. This marked a significant milestone for the company.

In 1924, formal equipment service contracts became available nationwide for Otis, leading to the rapid growth of the Otis Service business.

In 1927, Charles Otis, the founder of Otis Elevator Company, passed away at the age of 92. His legacy and contributions to the elevator industry were significant.

The Empire State Building opens in 1931 with 61 passenger elevators and six freight elevators from Otis. The passenger elevators, known as 'robot elevators' for their automatic controls, handle tens of thousands of trips a day. It becomes the first building to exceed 100 floors and holds the title of the world's tallest building at 102 stories until 1970.

The Cities Service Building in New York City opens in 1932 with the latest Otis innovation, a double-deck elevator. This design consists of two cabs joined vertically in the same hoistway, allowing eight cabs to perform the work of 16. It helps free up rentable building space and efficiently handles heavy passenger traffic during peak hours.

After World War II, Otis emerges as a company producing elevators at a rate substantially higher than before the war, under the leadership of Leroy Peterson.

In 1947, Otis and Stigler combined in Italy to form Stigler-Otis. This merger marked a significant development in the elevator industry, bringing together two prominent companies to enhance their operations.

In 1948, Otis Elevoice™ was introduced as an option for Otis Autotronic™ elevators, two years before the attendant-free Autotronic systems. The Elevoice™ system included a pre-recorded voice welcoming passengers and providing instructions to help them adjust, such as reminding them to let the doors close to avoid delaying service.

In 1950, the first Autotronic™ system was installed in the new 11-story Atlantic Refining Building in Dallas. This system featured Otis high-speed, no-operator elevators, making it the world's first building to have such technology.

In 1952, the first Autotronic™ system was installed in the new 11-story Atlantic Refining Building in Dallas, making it the world’s first building to feature Otis high-speed, no-operator elevators.

In 1953, Otis India was formed as a joint venture with Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd., showcasing Otis's expansion into the Asian market. This partnership reflected the company's commitment to growth and presence in India.

In 1967, Otis secured the contract to design, build, and install elevators and escalators for the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center in New York City. Overcoming technical obstacles, Otis delivered one of the largest vertical transportation systems of its time.

In 1976, United Technologies Corporation (UTC) acquired Otis, which had become a billion-dollar enterprise and the leading elevator company globally. This acquisition marked a significant diversification move for UTC.

Otis introduced the Elevonic™ 101 elevator system in 1979, featuring microprocessor control. This innovation optimized travel time by coordinating elevator speed, position, and direction based on a building's traffic patterns.

In 1983, Otis introduced the OTISLINE™ system, a centralized customer service operation available 24/7. This system allowed dispatchers to quickly respond to customer calls and contact local service mechanics. Initially launched in North America, it later expanded to other countries in multiple languages.

Otis introduced the ReGen drive in 1996 as an option for high-rises, which captures energy to generate electricity, leading to significant energy savings.

In 1999, Otis patented the SkyBuild™ self-climbing construction elevator, which allows crews and materials to move among floors quickly and safely without the need for an external lift or exposure to weather. The system rises in one-floor increments to keep pace with construction and operates faster than a conventional external hoist.

The vacuum elevator was invented in 2000, providing a new accessibility solution for residential spaces by being able to transport wheelchairs efficiently and taking up minimal space in homes.

In 2008, 57 elevators were installed in the largest buildings, operating at speeds ranging from 38 to 152 meters per minute and capable of carrying loads up to 13,600 kilograms. These elevators featured electrically controlled brakes for precise floor level stops.

The Otis Elevator Company, established in 1853, is a leading American manufacturer of elevators, escalators, and moving walkways. It is renowned for its innovation and is the world's largest producer of vertical transportation systems.

The Burj Khalifa by Emaar opens in Dubai, becoming the world’s tallest building at 828 meters. It houses 65 Otis elevators and features the fastest double-deck elevator.

Eighty years after installing the original equipment in the Empire State Building, Otis modernizes 68 elevators and adds five more, in one of the largest modernization projects in Otis' history.

Otis launches the 'Otis Electric' brand to cater to the increasing customer demands in China.

The invention of the elevator by Otis revolutionized vertical transportation. Its outcome in 1853 led to significant advancements in the field, shaping modern infrastructure and urban development.

In April 2020, Otis was relisted on The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: OTIS), marking its return to being an independent company almost 100 years after its initial listing in 1920.

In 2021, Otis launched the Gen3™ and Gen360™ platforms, which are based on the belted technology of the Gen2 system. The Gen360 platform offers additional features like a new electronic architecture and a redesigned cab for safer maintenance.

Otis is chosen to update the elevators in the Space Needle in Seattle, marking 60 years since they installed the original three-elevator system.

Otis introduces the Gen3 Core™ elevator, designed for two- to six-story buildings, as the latest addition to the Gen3 elevator family.