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Valued Member of The Local One:
Being a Local One elevator mechanic in one of the greatest cities in the world gives me great pride in who we are and what we do. I was reading a book by Pete Hamill called “Downtown” where he writes about how significant New York City was in producing some of the first elevators in this country.
To quote Pete Hamill, “We must thank two great people. One was Thomas Edison, who in 1880, developed electric power. This enabled them to build steam elevators, which were built in the Astor House in 1830. They only went five stories high. The elevator was always in danger of falling. The other great pioneer came along two decades later. Elisha Graves Otis, working and dreaming in Yonkers, invented the governor system. He demonstrated it at the great Crystal Palace exhibition in 1854. The first Otis elevator was installed three years later in the new cast-iron E.V. Haughwort Building on the corner of Broadway and Broome Street. Steam provided the power. Miraculously, the five-story building is still there.”
Pete went on to say how he passes this building a few times a week and always thinks of those men who built it, and whether they understood that they were making some of the first moves toward creating the city we inhabit. “Our present was their future. In their New York, height was not truly important to most citizens: it remained a horizontal city. But their elevator made great heights possible. The success of that first elevator allowed other men to dream. Otis, who was born in 1811, continued working, directing his staff, while other New York engineers began making variations on elevators, particularly for use in those new warehouses along the North River. Power was the greatest limitation to their vision, and it was not solved at the time of Otis’s death in 1861. After his death, his small company continued working on newer, safer and better elevators. So did a rival named Charles Pratt. All tried screw, steam, and hydraulics for power. None of these were truly satisfactory. In 1889, the Otis Company would finally install its first electric-powered elevators in the Demarest carriage Company Building at Fifth Avenue and 33rd Street. In that same year the first true New York skyscraper opened at 50 Broadway near Exchange Place. It rose eleven stories.”
That was the beginning of what we have today. We are one of the big reasons why the city is so great.
Congratulations
As far as our future goes, I must congratulate all the apprentices who passed their mechanics exam. It will be an honor and privilege to work along side you. Remember, you have many years ahead. Work smart and work safe. Make Local One proud.
Brother Daniel Dazet’s name was picked for the $2500 scholarship for his son Daniel II. Brother Charles Booth’s name was picked for the $2500 scholarship for his daughter, Courtney.
Retirees
Brothers and Sisters who are retired. It is very important to us at Local One that you stay active in this union. It is you who made this union what it is. The knowledge and history that you can give to the younger Brothers and Sisters is one of our greatest assets. If you would like to be involved in any type of union activity please e-mail me with your name, number and e-mail address. Also you should e-mail me if you would like me to post something in The Constructor.
Thank You
We would like to thanks Brother James O’Neill and Brother Michael Riegger for their generous donation to the Local One scholarship fund.
Sadly Departed
Our deepest condolences go out to the family of retired brother William P. Moore Sr.
Work Safe. Stay Involved.
Lee Pirone .
Brothers Richard Caracciolo, Frank Steven Sr., Robert Porto, Emanuel Sortirhos accepting their 25 year pin.
E.V. Haughwort Building – The first elevator installed by Otis in 1857
The Demarest Carriage Building, Fifth Avenue & 33rd Street.
Local One Christmas Party
Posted Online February 2, 2005
