Q 01/05

According to the Roman architect Vitruvius, who built the first known elevator, probably in 236 BC?

A) Pythagoras

B) Ctesibius

C) Hero of Alexandria

D) Archimedes

Answer · why

D) Archimedes

Vitruvius is the earliest known reference to any elevator at all.

Q 02/05

The Colosseum had roughly how many elevators for hoisting animals up to the arena floor?

A) 250

B) 100

C) 40

D) 25

Answer · why

D) 25

They were operated by hand and counterweights, long before any motor.

Q 03/05

Which French king had a 'flying chair' built for one of his mistresses at Versailles in 1743?

A) Henry IV

B) Louis XV

C) Louis XVI

D) Louis XIV

Answer · why

B) Louis XV

A century later a Neapolitan architect installed another 'flying chair' at the Royal Palace of Caserta.

Q 04/05

What did architects Burton and Homer call their 1823 London attraction that hoisted customers up for a view?

A) The rising cabinet

B) The London lift

C) The ascending room

D) The sky carriage

Answer · why

C) The ascending room

Twelve years later Frost and Stutt developed a belt-driven, counterweighted elevator called the Teagle.

Q 05/05

In which year did Elisha Otis introduce the safety elevator?

A) 1852

B) 1867

C) 1832

D) 1881

Answer · why

A) 1852

He demonstrated it two years later by having the rope cut while he stood on the platform.