On September 24, 1853, the first passenger elevator was installed and operated by Elisha Otis at the E. V. Haughwout & Co. department store in New York City. This groundbreaking invention revolutionized the construction industry and paved the way for the development of skyscrapers.

Prior to this invention, buildings were typically limited to five or six stories, as people were reluctant to climb many flights of stairs. Otis's passenger elevator not only made it convenient for people to access higher floors but also provided a sense of safety that was previously lacking.

Elisha Otis had already invented a safety mechanism for elevators in 1852, which prevented the elevator car from falling if the cable broke. He demonstrated this safety feature dramatically at the New York Crystal Palace exposition in 1854, where he stood on an elevated platform and ordered the rope cut, causing gasps from the crowd. However, his safety brake worked perfectly, and the platform remained in place.

The elevator installed at the Haughwout department store was powered by a steam engine and could carry passengers up to five stories high. It quickly became a popular attraction, with shoppers eager to experience this novel mode of transportation.

Otis's invention laid the groundwork for the modern cityscape, enabling architects to design taller buildings and reshaping urban life. Today, the Otis Elevator Company, founded by Elisha Otis's sons in 1853, remains one of the world's leading manufacturers of elevators, escalators, and moving walkways, a testament to the enduring impact of this historic invention.