151 after elisha otis created the safety elevator in 1852 the world changed the connecticut inventor who was born 201 years ago today perfected a safety brake that prevented an elevator from falling even if its rope broke the innovation changed not only building design but tourism says stephen showers archivist for the otis elevator co otis elevators he notes are key components to some of the most popular places on the planet showers shares some favorites with larry bleiberg for usa today the deep hull england the worlds only underwater elevator is as much an attraction as the sea life at this british aquarium which opened in 2002 the cars travel through a transparent tube rising 33 feet through the water and pausing midway to give visitors a midtank view youre in the middle of a recreated ocean showers says it really does give you the experience of being in a submarine thedeepcouk space needle seattle this ode to the space age opened 50 years ago as a centerpiece of a worlds fair the elevators echoed that theme with cars shaped like space capsules the elevator is really part of the experience showers says engineers also took into account the areas weather designing the highspeed elevators to cut their speed in half to 5 mph in high winds 2069052100 spaceneedlecom christ the redeemer monument rio de janeiro until 2001 visitors had to climb steep staircases to reach the base of this inspirational concrete and soapstone statue but new whisperquiet elevators now carry guests up without disturbing the mood or detracting from the scenery to a lot of people this is pretty incredible now the elderly and handicapped can visit showers says visitbrasilcom burj khalifa dubai visitors zoom to the top of the worlds tallest building on the worlds fastest elevators which travel nearly 2000 feet per minute this is one of the incredible structures in the world today showers says and the view from the 124th floor outdoor observation deck is pretty fantastic too burjkhalifaae newseum washington dc the history of modern journalism isnt the only reason to visit this downtown museum the buildings sixstory glasswalled elevators also offer a memorable baywindow view of the 90foottall atrium and the sights along pennsylvania avenue there are no other elevators like it in the world showers says 8886397386 newseumorg eiffel tower paris just as amazing as gustave eiffels tower built for the 1889 worlds fair was otis customized elevators designed to climb up the monuments curved legs there was so much engineering they had to do showers says while modernized a century later the cars still carry visitors to the observation deck eiffeltowercom luxor hotel las vegas when this 1993 las vegas strip casinohotel opened in 1993 it did the pharaohs one better theres no need to climb to the top of the 30story pyramidshaped building elevators do the work including 16 that travel the walls at a 39degree angle which have led to their nickname inclinators 8773864658 luxorcom empire