I appreciate elevators. Even more, I believe that I can truly say I LOVE elevators. The person who invented the elevator should have monuments erected to his name and glory. And why don't we know who that is?
I did a little research (and by little, I mean I Googled it. How did I live before Google? And who invented Google? Ack!! It's a never ending circle, this quest for knowledge). Apparently, there have been elevator type things around since the 3rd century BC, but it wasn't until an American inventor, Elisha Otis, invented a brake for the elevator in the 1860s that they became practical and useful and started to be put in buildings.
Why the love for elevators? Well, my apartment now has furniture, and I can move in. It's on the third floor. No elevators. Not really a problem, it's only 2 flights of stairs, right? Well, when you're lugging heavy suitcases up those flights of stairs, it is a big problem. Now when I'm shopping for things for my apartment, I consider it in these terms: Is it worth my carrying it up an un-airconditioned staircase? Can I carry everything in one trip, or will I need to make multiple trips? Is it worth multiple trips?
After many years of apartment living, I have a technique in place for loading my arms with shopping bags, so I can take one trip. Especially after living in Shanghai, where my transportation home from a large shopping excursion was a taxi - gotta get everything in one go! That only entailed getting into the building, pushing elevator buttons and then dropping everything on the floor. Not so now.
So, to reiterate: I massively appreciate elevators, and the convenience they provide. My life is now remarkably elevator-less. I miss the elevators. Today, if you use an elevator, take a moment to appreciate its wonderfulness. For me, if not for yourself. Thank you.
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