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The impact of cars, trains, and planes on our landscape, buildings, and culture has been well documented, but an account of the history of elevators, escalators, and moving sidewalks has previously been far from complete. Filling this gap, this landmark publication documents the extraordinary impact of these methods of human conveyance on the urban and suburban landscape, building types, and culture worldwide.
Though elevators, escalators, and moving sidewalks are used by millions of people daily, they are often taken for granted by their riders. By design, many of these devices have become seamless within their surroundings. Function has often superseded form, as building and station managers have sought to move tenants and passengers through to their destinations with ease and efficiency. Yet there is a re-emerging desire to make conveyance mechanisms the spectacles they once were. Elevators and their support frames pulled out from hidden shafts for display in soaring atriums, escalators with different coloured steps and handrails, and moving sidewalks that turn corners are just some of the innovations that are helping these devices to get noticed.
Engagingly and authoritatively written and illustrated with widely sourced images that range from historical prints, photographs, and movie stills to the latest computer renderings, Up, Down, Across makes a long-overdue and valuable addition to urban and architectural studies and cultural history.
