Engineering & MachinesSafety Engineering
Otis Cut the Rope
Elevators became safe when one inventor cut his own cable in public
In 1854, a man rode a platform high above a crowd and had its only rope cut. What did he know that they didn't?
You'll find out
- What caught the falling platform
- Why a broken part can mean safety
- Where this idea protects you today
Why it matters
Skyscrapers, trains and power tools are safe for the same reason: they're designed to break in the right direction.
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