The term “escalator” was developed by the Otis Elevator Company to describe the moving stairway systems they began producing at the turn of the twentieth century. Otis Elevator main tained exclusive use of the term until the 1930’s when “escalator” was declared to be in the public domain. Elevators provide quick and easy access over long vertical distances and thus were necessities in the high-rise building type that began to evolve at the end of the nineteenth century. The escalator provides both vertical and horizontal displacement, usually in an open environment, making it more appropriate in buildings where only a few floors need to be connected. The funicular, or inclined elevator, was the predecessor of both the vertical elevator and the escalator. It evolved into use where the vertical distances were great and intermediate landings were usually not required such as a ski lifts. Pittsburgh, PA once boasted fourteen funiculars to move people around the hilly city and they remain a...