How does an elevator work?

An elevator goes up and down. It moves because a strong rope pulls. Doors close to keep you safe. You ride in a little room.

When you push a button, it tells a strong machine where you want to go. The machine pulls or lets down strong ropes, so the elevator room moves up or down. Brakes help it stop at the right floor. It is like pulling a toy in a basket with a string, but much bigger and safer.

An elevator has a car, the room you stand in, that moves inside a tall shaft. A motor turns a wheel that moves strong steel cables. The cables pull the car up or lower it down. Many elevators also have a counterweight, a heavy block that balances the car, so the motor does not work as hard. Brakes help stop it safely at each floor. Fun fact: the first safe passenger elevator was shown in 1854, and the safety brake made people trust tall buildings.