Remote Belt Transmission

Recognition has always been properly given to those who invented the engines providing the power to drive machines; not so often to those who provided the linkage. "Wire rope" will be given its recognition elsewhere in the museum, but little is known about the evolution of leather belting that for so many decades provided the link between the power source and the production machinery. Numerous unknown tanners and fasteners made minor improvements through the years that brought forth durable belting, the vital means of transmission when direct connection was only a dream of those seeking to improve the speed and safety of lifting.

Lifts were appendages to production machinery, on the end of the line-shaft. Life was cheap in the early days of the Industrial Revolution: moving goods -- trade -- was important! It was only later that belts also aided in moving passengers and a modicum of safety was provided. The elevator slowly became useful as a means of moving people. The steam and gas engines moved closer to the point where a passenger elevator had its own power plant. The belts also became shorter, moving ever-closer to the reduction gearing until engineers began to consider making it a part of the machine bedplate. The idea of a "package" elevator machine was beginning to emerge!