Painting: “Elevator Action”

“Elevator Action” by Leo Jahaan.
Oil on canvas, 2014.
120 cm x 40 cm.

“Elevator Action” is based on a technical diagram showing the workings of a ‘gearless traction elevator’. This type of electrical elevator was becoming common in 1921 when the original diagram was published, having succeeded earlier types of elevator that used steam power and water pressure, as well as hand-powered elevators.  The gearless traction elevator solved many problems from earlier designs and contributed to the proliferation of taller buildings.