An escalator is a device with a conveyor transport that carries people to different floors of a building. In other words, it is a moving staircase. They are powered by constant-speed alternating current motors that link steps moving up or down on tracks so as to always remain horizontal. Escalators are beneficial in that they can move a great number of people, have little to no waiting interval, and can be constructed anywhere a staircase would be made.

It was on this day, August 2, 1892, that Charles A. Wheeler patented an escalator prototype. His patent was bought by Charles Seeberger who incorporated parts of Wheeler’s design into his prototype which was then built by the Otis Elevator Company in 1899. One main difference between that design and those of the escalators today is that Seeberger’s escalator had a smooth flat surface instead of one with ridges.

Escalators are used all around the world now. They can be found anywhere in department stores, airports, shopping malls, hotels, stadiums, and casinos. There have been some accidents, but most have been caused by improper or unsafe use.