When Jesse Reno first invented the moving staircase it was used in an amusement park and not as transportation. The first patent for the escalator was granted in 1859 for a steam driven unit. In March, 1892, Jesse Reno patented his moving stairs or inclined elevator which later was used at Coney Island to load passengers onto a ride.
In 1897, Charles Seeberger redesigned it and gave it the name of escalator. The first commercial escalator was made by Seeberger along with the Otis Elevator Company. Later in 1910, Seeberger sold his rights for the escalator to the company who later bought Reno's patent in 1911. Otis engineers improved the escalator, giving it the steps we use today. |