The Eiffel Tower was built for the 1889 World’s Fair in Paris. The structure itself was a marvel of engineering, but so was the system of elevators used to move people to the top. Which of these challenges did engineers have to overcome to make the elevators work?
- The Eiffel Tower’s structure is made of wrought iron, which is prone to rust.
- The elevator cars needed to be able to travel up the curved legs of the tower.
- The elevators had to be able to transport large crowds of people.
- The elevators needed to be able to operate in all types of weather.
Correct Answer: The elevator cars needed to be able to travel up the curved legs of the tower.
Correct Answer Explanation: The Eiffel Tower’s unique design with its curved legs presented a challenge for engineers who needed to figure out how to make elevators that could travel up the inclined shafts.
In the 19th century, what type of power source was commonly used for elevators?
- Electricity
- Hydraulics
- Steam
- Wind
Correct Answer: Hydraulics
Correct Answer Explanation: Hydraulics, using the pressure of water, was the most common power source for elevators in the late 19th century, but the development of electricity would eventually lead to the electric elevator.
Which of these elevator systems was used in the Eiffel Tower?
- The Otis rope-geared hydraulic system
- The Roux, Combaluzier, and Lepape chain-based system
- The Edoux direct plunger system
- All of the above
Correct Answer: All of the above
Correct Answer Explanation: The Eiffel Tower used a combination of these elevator systems, each designed to overcome the unique challenges of the structure. The Otis rope-geared hydraulic system and the Roux, Combaluzier, and Lepape chain-based system were used for different sections of the tower, while the Edoux direct plunger system was used for the highest section.
What was one of the major concerns for engineers designing the Eiffel Tower’s elevators?
- The weight of the elevators
- The speed of the elevators
- The safety of the passengers
- The cost of the elevators
Correct Answer: The safety of the passengers
Correct Answer Explanation: Safety was a primary concern for engineers designing the Eiffel Tower elevators, as they were responsible for transporting large numbers of people to great heights. The engineers had to ensure the elevators were reliable and safe, even with the unusual design of the tower.
What type of elevator did Elisha Otis invent?
- A steam-powered elevator
- An electric elevator
- A hydraulic elevator
- An elevator with a safety device
Correct Answer: An elevator with a safety device
Correct Answer Explanation: Elisha Otis’s invention wasn’t a new type of elevator but a safety device that revolutionized elevator technology. His safety brake prevented the elevator car from falling in the event of a cable failure, making elevators much safer for passengers.
Who was responsible for developing the direct plunger hydraulic elevator used in the Eiffel Tower?
- Elisha Otis
- Roux, Combaluzier, and Lepape
- Edoux
- Backmann
Correct Answer: Edoux
Correct Answer Explanation: The Edoux direct plunger system was used for the highest section of the Eiffel Tower. This system used two cars and two driving rams to transport people to the observation platform.
Which of these companies provided elevators for the Eiffel Tower?
- Otis Brothers
- Roux, Combaluzier, and Lepape
- Edoux
- All of the above
Correct Answer: All of the above
Correct Answer Explanation: The Eiffel Tower was a monumental project requiring a variety of elevator systems from different companies. Otis Brothers designed the rope-geared hydraulic system, Roux, Combaluzier, and Lepape designed the chain-based system, and Edoux designed the direct plunger system.
The Eiffel Tower elevators had to be able to travel up the curved legs of the tower, how did engineers make this happen?
- The elevator cars were designed to tilt as they traveled up the curves.
- The elevator shafts were constructed with a series of curves.
- The elevators were designed to travel on a series of inclined tracks.
- The elevators were designed to travel on a series of vertical tracks.
Correct Answer: The elevators were designed to travel on a series of inclined tracks.
Correct Answer Explanation: The Eiffel Tower’s elevator system wasn’t a single straight shaft. Instead, engineers designed the elevators to travel on a series of inclined tracks, which allowed the cars to safely navigate the curves of the tower’s legs.
How many passengers could the Otis elevator in the Eiffel Tower carry at one time?
- 10
- 20
- 40
- 100
Correct Answer: 40
Correct Answer Explanation: The Otis elevator in the Eiffel Tower could carry a maximum of 40 passengers at one time.
What was the primary source of water for the hydraulic elevators in the Eiffel Tower?
- A well dug beneath the tower
- A nearby river
- A series of water tanks
- A municipal water system
Correct Answer: A series of water tanks
Correct Answer Explanation: The Eiffel Tower’s hydraulic elevator systems relied on water pressure to function. This water came from a series of water tanks located at the top of the tower.
The Eiffel Tower’s elevators were considered a marvel of engineering for their time. What was one of the key reasons for this?
- They were the first elevators to use a hydraulic system.
- They were the first elevators to travel at high speeds.
- They were the first elevators to travel up a curved structure.
- They were the first elevators to use a safety device.
Correct Answer: They were the first elevators to travel up a curved structure.
Correct Answer Explanation: The Eiffel Tower’s elevators were unique because they had to travel up the curved legs of the tower. Engineers had to design a system that could safely and efficiently handle this challenge.
What was the name of the safety device that Elisha Otis invented for elevators?
- The Otis Safety Brake
- The Otis Safety Cage
- The Otis Safety Harness
- The Otis Safety System
Correct Answer: The Otis Safety Brake
Correct Answer Explanation: Elisha Otis’s invention, the Otis Safety Brake, was a critical development in elevator technology. It was designed to prevent the elevator car from falling in the event of a cable failure, making elevators much safer for passengers.
What was the approximate speed of the Otis elevator in the Eiffel Tower?
- 100 feet per minute
- 200 feet per minute
- 400 feet per minute
- 600 feet per minute
Correct Answer: 400 feet per minute
Correct Answer Explanation: The Otis elevator in the Eiffel Tower traveled at a speed of 400 feet per minute, which was relatively fast for elevators in the late 19th century.
Why was a screw-hoisting system, like the one proposed by Backmann, deemed impractical for the Eiffel Tower elevators?
- It was too slow
- It was too expensive
- It was not strong enough
- It was too difficult to maintain
Correct Answer: It was too slow
Correct Answer Explanation: While screw-hoisting systems were used in some early elevators, they were often slow, making them less appealing for a structure like the Eiffel Tower where visitors needed to be transported efficiently.
Which elevator system used two cars and two driving rams to reach the observation platform?
- The Otis system
- The Roux, Combaluzier, and Lepape system
- The Edoux system
- The Backmann system
Correct Answer: The Edoux system
Correct Answer Explanation: The Edoux direct plunger system, used in the highest section of the Eiffel Tower, used two cars and two driving rams to overcome the extreme height. Each car traveled half the distance to the observation platform.
Why was a water balance elevator, like the Baldwin-Hale system, considered unsafe?
- It relied solely on a brake to control the car’s descent.
- It was prone to overturning.
- It was not strong enough to support the weight of the car.
- It was too slow.
Correct Answer: It relied solely on a brake to control the car’s descent.
Correct Answer Explanation: The Baldwin-Hale water balance elevator was deemed unsafe because it relied solely on a brake to control the car’s descent. If the brake failed, the car could fall quickly.
What was the primary safety measure in the Edoux elevator system?
- The safety brake designed by Backmann.
- The strength of the supporting cables.
- The hydraulic pressure of the system.
- The design of the elevator car.
Correct Answer: The strength of the supporting cables
Correct Answer Explanation: The Edoux system relied primarily on the strength of its supporting cables as its safety measure, rather than a secondary brake system.
What type of power source was used to return the water to the supply tanks in the Edoux elevator system?
- Steam pumps
- Hydraulic pumps
- Electric pumps
- Worthington pumps
Correct Answer: Worthington pumps
Correct Answer Explanation: While the World’s Fair prohibited the use of foreign materials, the Edoux system used Worthington (American) pumps to return the water to the supply tanks.
What was the name of the elevator system that used a chain of articulated links to move the car?
- The Otis system
- The Roux, Combaluzier, and Lepape system
- The Edoux system
- The Backmann system
Correct Answer: The Roux, Combaluzier, and Lepape system
Correct Answer Explanation: The Roux, Combaluzier, and Lepape system was a unique design that employed a chain of articulated links to move the car. It was innovative but suffered from excessive friction and noise.
The Eiffel Tower’s elevators were a marvel of engineering for their time. What was one of the biggest challenges that engineers faced?
- Finding enough materials to build the elevators.
- Convincing the public that the elevators were safe.
- Developing a system that could handle the tower’s curved legs.
- Designing elevators that could withstand the strong winds at the top of the tower.
Correct Answer: Developing a system that could handle the tower’s curved legs.
Correct Answer Explanation: The biggest challenge for engineers designing the Eiffel Tower elevators was developing a system that could safely and efficiently travel up the tower’s curved legs.
What was the primary reason that steam elevators were limited in their rise?
- They were too slow.
- They were too heavy.
- They were too dangerous.
- They were too expensive.
Correct Answer: They were too heavy.
Correct Answer Explanation: Steam elevators were limited in their rise because they relied on large and heavy winding drums, which could only be used to lift a certain amount of weight.
Which of these elevator systems was the first to be replaced in the Eiffel Tower?
- The Otis system
- The Roux, Combaluzier, and Lepape system
- The Edoux system
- The Backmann system
Correct Answer: The Roux, Combaluzier, and Lepape system
Correct Answer Explanation: The Roux, Combaluzier, and Lepape system, while innovative, was ultimately inefficient and noisy, so it was replaced in 1900 by more powerful Fives-Lilles hydraulic elevators.
What year were the elevators in the Eiffel Tower first electrified?
- 1889
- 1900
- 1912
- 1922
Correct Answer: 1912
Correct Answer Explanation: In 1912, a small electric elevator was added to the Eiffel Tower for the use of visitors during the winter when the hydraulic systems were shut down due to freezing temperatures. However, it was eventually removed in 1922 due to its limited capacity.
What was the approximate diameter of the driving sprockets in the Roux, Combaluzier, and Lepape elevator system?
- 6.4 feet
- 12.8 feet
- 19.2 feet
- 25.6 feet
Correct Answer: 12.8 feet
Correct Answer Explanation: The driving sprockets in the Roux, Combaluzier, and Lepape system were 12.8 feet in diameter, a large and unusual size that helped to drive the chain-based system.
What was the primary reason for the decision to use hydraulic elevators instead of steam elevators in the Eiffel Tower?
- Hydraulic elevators were faster.
- Hydraulic elevators were more efficient.
- Hydraulic elevators were safer.
- All of the above
Correct Answer: All of the above
Correct Answer Explanation: Hydraulic elevators offered several advantages over steam elevators, including faster speeds, greater efficiency, and improved safety. These factors made them the preferred choice for high-rise buildings like the Eiffel Tower.
Why was the Edoux direct plunger system used for the highest section of the Eiffel Tower?
- It was more efficient than other systems.
- It was less expensive than other systems.
- It was more reliable than other systems.
- It was better suited to handling the extreme height.
Correct Answer: It was better suited to handling the extreme height.
Correct Answer Explanation: The Edoux direct plunger system was better suited to handling the extreme height of the Eiffel Tower’s highest section. It used two cars and two driving rams to overcome the challenge of the extremely high rise.
The Otis elevator system used a massive hydraulic cylinder. What was the approximate length of the cylinder?
- 10 feet
- 20 feet
- 36 feet
- 48 feet
Correct Answer: 36 feet
Correct Answer Explanation: The Otis system in the Eiffel Tower used a massive hydraulic cylinder that was 36 feet long and 38 inches in diameter.
The Eiffel Tower elevators are a testament to the ingenuity and capabilities of engineers at the time. What was one of the biggest innovations that helped make these elevators a success?
- The use of hydraulic power
- The use of safety devices
- The use of inclined tracks
- All of the above
Correct Answer: All of the above
Correct Answer Explanation: Each of these innovations played a crucial role in making the Eiffel Tower’s elevators a success. Hydraulic power provided a reliable and efficient source of energy, safety devices ensured the safety of passengers, and inclined tracks allowed the elevators to travel up the tower’s curved legs.
How much excess tractive effort was required to overcome friction in the Otis elevator system?
- 1,333 pounds
- 2,665 pounds
- 5,090 pounds
- 13,856 pounds
Correct Answer: 2,665 pounds
Correct Answer Explanation: The Otis elevator system needed an excess tractive effort of 2,665 pounds to overcome friction, a significant amount of force needed to move the car up the incline.
What was the approximate sectional area of the four supporting cables in the Edoux elevator system?
- 5.4 square inches
- 10.2 square inches
- 15.5 square inches
- 20.1 square inches
Correct Answer: 15.5 square inches
Correct Answer Explanation: The Edoux system’s four supporting cables had a total sectional area of 15.5 square inches, a significant amount of strength needed to safely support the weight of the car and passengers.
What was the approximate safety factor of the cables in the Edoux elevator system?
- 23
- 34
- 46
- 58
Correct Answer: 46
Correct Answer Explanation: The Edoux system’s cables had a safety factor of 46, meaning that they were designed to withstand a load 46 times greater than the weight they were expected to support.
What was the name of the first elevator company to submit a proposal for the Eiffel Tower elevators?
- Otis Brothers
- Roux, Combaluzier, and Lepape
- Edoux
- Backmann
Correct Answer: Otis Brothers
Correct Answer Explanation: Otis Brothers was the first company to submit a proposal for the Eiffel Tower elevators, but their initial bid was rejected due to a clause in the fair’s charter prohibiting foreign materials.
The Eiffel Tower elevators were a significant engineering achievement. What was one of the most important lessons learned from this project?
- The importance of using a variety of elevator systems in a large structure.
- The importance of safety in elevator design.
- The importance of using hydraulic power for elevators.
- The importance of using inclined tracks for elevators.
Correct Answer: The importance of safety in elevator design.
Correct Answer Explanation: One of the most important lessons learned from the Eiffel Tower elevator project was the paramount importance of safety in elevator design. The engineers were meticulous in their attention to safety, and their efforts ensured that the elevators were reliable and secure for the countless visitors who rode them.
What was the name of the person who designed the safety brake that was used in the Edoux elevator system?
- Elisha Otis
- Roux
- Combaluzier
- Backmann
Correct Answer: Backmann
Correct Answer Explanation: The safety brake used in the Edoux elevator system was actually designed by Backmann, even though Edoux considered it ineffective.
Why was the use of Worthington (American) pumps in the Edoux system a notable exception to the fair’s rule prohibiting foreign materials?
- The Worthington pumps were the only pumps that could handle the high pressure required for the Edoux system.
- Edoux, who was French, had a close relationship with the Worthington company.
- The Edoux system was considered so important to the success of the World’s Fair that the organizers made an exception to the rule.
- Edoux was convinced that the Worthington pumps were the best available and refused to use any other brand.
Correct Answer: The Edoux system was considered so important to the success of the World’s Fair that the organizers made an exception to the rule.
Correct Answer Explanation: The Edoux system was crucial for the Eiffel Tower’s visitors to reach the observation platform. To ensure the success of the project, the organizers made an exception to the rule prohibiting foreign materials and allowed Edoux to use Worthington pumps.
What was the approximate height of the first platform of the Eiffel Tower?
- 200 feet
- 377 feet
- 643 feet
- 896 feet
Correct Answer: 377 feet
Correct Answer Explanation: The Eiffel Tower’s first platform is located approximately 377 feet above the ground.
The Eiffel Tower was a symbol of French technological prowess and a popular tourist destination. Why did the organizers of the World’s Fair insist on unconditionally safe elevator systems?
- They were concerned about the safety of visitors being transported to the upper levels.
- They didn’t want to be sued if someone was injured on the elevators.
- They wanted to ensure that the elevators were reliable and efficient.
- They wanted to make a good impression on the international visitors.
Correct Answer: They were concerned about the safety of visitors being transported to the upper levels.
Correct Answer Explanation: The organizers of the World’s Fair were acutely aware that the Eiffel Tower would be a major tourist attraction. To ensure visitor safety, they demanded that the elevator systems be unconditionally safe, as the tower’s height presented a significant risk. The organizers wanted to ensure that visitors could enjoy the view from the top of the Eiffel Tower without worrying about the safety of the elevators.
What was the name of the machine that was similar to the screw-hoisting system proposed by Backmann?
- The Otis Safety Brake
- The Miller Patent Screw Hoisting Machine
- The Baldwin-Hale Water Balance Elevator
- The Fives-Lilles Hydraulic Elevator
Correct Answer: The Miller Patent Screw Hoisting Machine
Correct Answer Explanation: Backmann’s proposed screw-hoisting system was similar to the Miller Patent Screw Hoisting Machine, which had a brief life in the United States around 1865. This system was considered impractical and ultimately rejected for use in the Eiffel Tower.
The Eiffel Tower’s elevator systems were among the first capable of meeting the demands of vertical transportation in the emerging skyscraper. What was one of the key design challenges that had to be overcome to make these elevators work?
- The need to reduce the weight of the elevator cars.
- The need to increase the speed of the elevators.
- The need to design elevators that could travel up curved shafts.
- The need to design elevators that could operate in extreme temperatures.
Correct Answer: The need to design elevators that could travel up curved shafts.
Correct Answer Explanation: The most significant design challenge in building elevators for the Eiffel Tower was the need to create a system that could travel up the tower’s curved legs. This required engineers to think creatively and develop innovative solutions.
How many people could the Edoux elevator carry at one time?
- 40
- 60
- 100
- 120
Correct Answer: 60
Correct Answer Explanation: The Edoux system was designed to carry a maximum of 60 passengers at a time, while the Otis system could carry 40 people, all seated, and the Roux system could carry 100 people, some standing.
What was the approximate weight of the counterweight carriage in the Otis elevator system?
- 10,000 pounds
- 20,000 pounds
- 30,000 pounds
- 40,000 pounds
Correct Answer: 20,000 pounds
Correct Answer Explanation: The Otis elevator system used a counterweight carriage to balance the weight of the car and passengers. This carriage was loaded with pig iron and weighed approximately 20,000 pounds.
What was the name of the company that replaced the Roux, Combaluzier, and Lepape elevators in 1900?
- Otis Brothers
- Edoux
- Backmann
- Fives-Lilles
Correct Answer: Fives-Lilles
Correct Answer Explanation: The Fives-Lilles company replaced the Roux, Combaluzier, and Lepape elevators in 1900 with more powerful hydraulic elevators. The new Fives-Lilles elevators offered enhanced power, control, and self-leveling cabins to compensate for the varying track inclination.
The Eiffel Tower is approximately 1,000 feet tall. What is the approximate height of the second platform?
- 377 feet
- 500 feet
- 643 feet
- 896 feet
Correct Answer: 643 feet
Correct Answer Explanation: The second platform of the Eiffel Tower is located approximately 643 feet above the ground.
What was the name of the elevator system that was added in 1912 to accommodate visitors during the winter when the hydraulic systems were shut down due to freezing weather?
- The Otis system
- The Roux, Combaluzier, and Lepape system
- The Edoux system
- An electric elevator system
Correct Answer: An electric elevator system
Correct Answer Explanation: The electric elevator system, added in 1912, was a small elevator designed for winter use, but it was eventually removed in 1922 because of its limited capacity.
What was the approximate excess tractive effort required to overcome friction in the Edoux elevator system?
- 1,333 pounds
- 2,665 pounds
- 5,090 pounds
- 13,856 pounds
Correct Answer: 5,090 pounds
Correct Answer Explanation: The Edoux system required an excess tractive effort of 5,090 pounds to overcome friction, which is the force needed to move the car up the incline. The Edoux system had less friction than the Roux system, but more than the Otis system.
The Eiffel Tower elevators were a marvel of engineering. What was one of the key factors that contributed to their success?
- The use of innovative technologies
- The careful attention to safety
- The ability to adapt to the unique design of the Eiffel Tower
- All of the above
Correct Answer: All of the above
Correct Answer Explanation: The success of the Eiffel Tower elevators was a result of a combination of factors: innovative technologies, careful attention to safety, and a remarkable ability to adapt to the unique design of the Eiffel Tower.
What was the primary reason that the Otis Brothers’ initial proposal for the Eiffel Tower elevators was rejected?
- The proposal was too expensive.
- The proposal was too complicated.
- The proposal used foreign materials.
- The proposal was not considered safe enough.
Correct Answer: The proposal used foreign materials.
Correct Answer Explanation: The initial proposal submitted by Otis Brothers was rejected because it included the use of foreign materials. This violated a clause in the World’s Fair charter.
The Eiffel Tower’s elevator systems were a significant engineering achievement. What was one of the most significant outcomes of this project?
- The development of new elevator technologies.
- The advancement of elevator safety standards.
- The increased popularity of the Eiffel Tower.
- All of the above
Correct Answer: All of the above
Correct Answer Explanation: The Eiffel Tower elevator project led to the development of new elevator technologies, advancements in elevator safety standards, and an increase in the popularity of the Eiffel Tower. The project showcased the incredible ingenuity and capabilities of engineers and helped to push the boundaries of elevator technology.