 The DuPont Company of Wilmington, Delaware makers of better things for better living through chemistry Presents the cavalcade of America tonight star Robert Cummings tonight story going up Going up this elevator stops at all floors going up Tonight we'd like to bring you the story of the man who made the words going up a part of America It all started in the middle of the 1800s with a young man named Alasha Graves Otis It was a bright sunny day when Alasha arrived in Yonkers, New York with his wife and family Together he and Betsy climbed the stairs to their new home Maybe better rest a moment there. No Alasha. I wish you wouldn't treat me like an old lady. I'm only 27 now Betsy You know I'm 28 Well, there's still one more flight Oh Betsy, it's got a wonderful living room while you can see the river and beyond darling I do wish you'd stop worrying until I see it I know it's going to be just wonderful. All right Well, here we are We'll open the door Now pick me up What? Pick me up. Oh now Betsy, we've got children What'll people think if I carry you across the threshold like a bride? I always want to be your bride Alasha Come on, pick me up. Oh, all right then My Mrs. Otis you're putting on weight aren't you? That's a fine thing to say to your bride now carry me in That's it Betsy you do like it. Don't you it's quite the most comfortable place. I've ever been in this is the living room I was talking about your arms You can put me down now darling. Oh now Betsy be serious. All right. Where's the kitchen? Well, I'm afraid it isn't very big Betsy this time things will be different all my life. I've been looking for a position like the one I've got now And it is a great future in the bedstead making business Betsy you're not listening to me. Would you please listen? I'm listening I'm listening darling Yes, but you don't believe me. Do you Alisha? I just don't want you to be disappointed again But this time it's gonna be different honey why these two rooms we'll laugh out of admin in a couple of years I can see myself now becoming mr. Maze's indispensable man I can see him coming to me and saying Alisha without you this business would never have grown Betsy I'll grow with it. No more wandering no more drifting no more temporary homes. Have I ever objected? Oh Betsy I Don't know why you've put up with me so long I'm very grateful, but I I just don't know why you have I do Why? Because I love you so Come in Did you want to see me mr. Maze? Oh? Just come in come in Here sit down here here have a cigar a cigar. Yes. Yes. Thank you, sir. Well light. No, no, thanks here I'll I'll just save it until later. Hey Otis that reminds me that lathe you invented I I was talking some of the boys about it showed them what it did for our business and they turn green Green Otis positively green. Well business has been good. Good. Oh, it's been phenomenal and it's going to get better Yes, sir. You know, that's what I like about you Otis. You are just an inventor a dreamer. You get a grasp on things Yeah, I like a man to get who gets a grasp on things here here have a cigar. Oh Thank you, sir. It reminds me. You know, we're expanding You know that building at the foot of Vark Street? Yes, sir. Well, I can get the whole thing for a song. It's perfect for what I need except for one thing What's that sir? It's the hoist in the building. It's cumbersome slow and dangerous I need it to haul number all the way up to the fourth floor and the thing will never do Perhaps if I looked at it, you're gonna have to pay a man triple wages to ride the thing Maybe I can do something to make the hoist safe. Oh Otis you are a dreamer You will never be able to make a safe elevator Just make it a little less dangerous. That's all we ask now. I might have to build a new one. Yeah Well, you really think you can do it? Yes, sir. All right. All right. I'll tell you what you do take off a few days Think it out and then let me know what you come up with fine. I'll be in touch with you. Fine fine. Oh, I say Otis Yes, sir. I I hate to bother you, but you don't happen to have an extra cigar. Do you? Anybody home? What the beautiful day most beautiful day I've ever seen it rained all afternoon I did not supposing you wipe that Cheshire grin off your face and tell me what's on your mind My mind is nothing on my mind. Why things happened. I know it has come on. Tell me well, Mrs. Otis I had a long conversation with mr. Mays this afternoon. You did mm-hmm Elisha said to me Elisha Have a cigar you didn't take it. Of course. I took it. Well, you don't smoke. I know that Don't keep me in suspense. Well, we talked about the lathe I invented and what did he say? Well because of that lathe your husband invented Mrs. Otis our company is being forced to move to a much larger factory Oh Darling darling, that's wonderful. Of course. There's one small little problem He wants me to solve you see there's a hoist in the building, but it's not safe So I told mr. Mays. I didn't vent a safe elevator for him right away. You what? Sure. It's quite simple. I think and Just when are you going to invent this hoist? Huh? Oh, why as soon as I can think the thing out a lot of problems Betsy a lot of Problems that's good. What do you mean? That's good. Well for a minute. I thought you were going to invent it before dinner Oh The main problem Betsy is the hoist rope Gosh, it just won't stand the strain. I lie sure you've done nothing but eat and sleep hoist for three weeks Yes, and I've read books Betsy. Don't forget. I've read almost a hundred books And there isn't even an inkling as to the answer. It's past 10 o'clock Don't you think you could put out the candle so we could get some sleep? Hmm. Oh, I'm sorry sure There I can think in the dark. I do wish you try to get some sleep. I'll try Good night Betsy No kiss Good night, Elisha Betsy Betsy wake up. Well, what's wrong Elisha Betsy? I've solved it I've solved it. I've been working on the wrong angle now supposing the cable wasn't the answer at all Supposing I put a wagon spring in the side of the car to work the ratchets automatically when the cable snapped Well, I just am afraid I don't understand what a ratchet is dear. Oh darling. It's very simple I'll explain it to you. You see a ratchet is a When you you take it Well, it's what I'm going to use to make the elevator safe All that lumber on Fred Man that elevator can handle three times that weight How many months does it have to be an operation before you men realize that? I don't like to bother you sir, but mr. Mays wants to see you in his office. Oh, all right I got a check with mr. Mays Fred be back in a minute That you wanted to see me mr. Mays Sit down Otis. You look a little tired sir. I am tired. I would just inspecting the elevator sir It's working much better than we'd even hoped an amazing job Otis Frankly, I didn't believe that anyone could invent a hoist that would really be safe. Well. Thank you sir Otis I'm sure you know that business has fallen off. Oh, yes, sir, but general conditions have been rather bad, sir You have a wonderful gift of understatement Well, is the company in in trouble sir, I'm sure that you'll be able to find other employment Other employment. I haven't told the other jet Otis You're the first You mean you're laying me off sir. I mean well, I'll cut my wages if it'll help you I appreciate to gesture Otis, but I'm afraid it isn't just a matter of laying off. I have been forced against the wall Just can't meet the notes over expanded. I expect but Well, no matter the cause the company is filing bankruptcy bankruptcy bankruptcy cleaned out Otis This may surprise you but Well, I I can't even offer you a cigar. Oh, no, don't shout it sing it But I thought you were supposed to say it loud. I wonder what's keeping your father. He should have been here an hour ago All right now. Let's let's try it again Hmm happy birthday to you Happy birthday to you. That's it. Happy birthday. Oh, that's all right. Dear Papa What a voice Shh, wait a minute. It's your father. Oh here. Hold the cake Norton and remember just as soon as he opens the door We all sing together Alisha You all right? Oh, I'm sorry. I'm late. Dear. I was Running around children But I'm hungry. No, you get ready for bed now bring you your dinner help your brother Charles. Come along Norton Alisha Yes, dear. I Kept the boys up till now It's your birthday darling, I've been My birthday. Oh, I'm so sorry Betsy. I forgot that's all right Where have you been? Oh, it was so nice out. I just walked around. I forgot all about the time Come on. Call the boys out. We'll have the party. Alisha. I'm your wife You can't fool me. I Was afraid to come home Betsy You were afraid to come home to me was a shame Sit down dear Tell me It's funny isn't it? We were right here in this same part of the room when I made my grand speech All the things I was going to do for you and the children How proud I was going to make you of your husband. I am proud of you Alisha. You won't be tell me Well, mr. Mays called me in to see him But it wasn't to talk about the lathe of the elevator or anything like that It was to tell me that the company Is going bankrupt bankrupt Oh, I'm so sorry sorry Oh Betsy, do you realize what this means? I'm out of a job. We have no money We have no future no place to go Betsy except my apologies for being such a poor provider For being such a failure you're tired Alisha Yes, I'm so tired. Oh Betsy. What are we going to do? We have nothing nothing We have each other dear Betsy Dear unselfish Betsy You give so much and I Give so little you're listening to the cavalcade of America starring Robert Cummings with Judy Sponsored by the DuPont company of Wilmington, Delaware Makers of better things for better living through chemistry and now a word from bill Hamilton When you think of the uses of nylon in your home You probably think of clothing slipcovers draperies and other fabrics woven from this DuPont made fiber But DuPont nylon as a plastic contributes much to your daily living to Gears in your electric food mixers the tiny connecting rod in an electric shaver drapery slides and in literally hundreds of other small mechanical parts Every one of the better known makes of household refrigerators has molded nylon parts Every automobile made today has one or more nylon parts as a fiber and as a plastic Nylon serves you well as one of DuPont's better things for better living through chemistry Tonight on the cavalcade of America Robert Cummings is starring as Elisha Graves Otis with Judith Parrish as Betsy With the depression Elijah Otis found himself without a job for months. He walked the streets of New York But no one was hiring So finally even though his heart wasn't in it Elisha Graves Otis and family were again on the move What do you want me to pack this Betsy? They say the weather in California is just marvelous outside of a little rain. It's just a parrot You're not happy are you? Does it show that much I'm afraid it does. Oh, I'm sorry. I guess I feel I'm burying my dreams Well, at least I'm going to bury them in a golden graveyard What's that you expecting someone no I said goodbye to everyone this morning Yes, I'm looking for Otis. My name is Otis. Yeah, that's fine Well, are you going to invite me in? Oh, of course. Yes, come in come in. Thank you My name is new house Benjamin new house of New York. Well, how do you know this is my wife? Oh, how do you do ma'am? How do you do? Won't you sit down? Oh, yeah? Or flight some climb for a man in my way Well, mr. New house tell you what I'll do next time you come to visit us. I'll have an elevator installed here for you That's exactly why I call yes Mr. Otis I own a picture frame factory and cabinet shop in New York six months ago I had a very deplorable accident in my factory the cable on my elevator broke and two men were killed Well, I'm sorry to hear that sir, but I'm afraid I don't know what I can do about it You can build me two elevators and not too ordinary elevators either. I want two of those Otis safety elevator I'm sorry, mr. Newhouse, but I'm not in the elevator business In fact, I've never really been in the elevator business. Why not? Oh, mr. Newhouse. It's not that easy It takes money to start a business like that Well, what do you think banks are far borrow it? You've already got one order I can guarantee that any bank can see there's a future to a business like that. It's a sound investment man Say he's right Betsy. I Could do it. I know I could of course you can and I shall be happy to place the first order with the Otis Elevator company. Mr. Newhouse with the Otis safety elevator company Champagne Don't you think you're being a little extravagant? Well, Mrs. Otis It isn't often that I have the extreme pleasure of dining alone with my wife in New York's most famous restaurant But the prices are so high cares about the price. This is an occasion Betsy this afternoon We finished the Newhouse job. Well, I think I'd feel a lot happier if you had some more audience They'll come Betsy. They'll come fast that I can handle them. Just you wait and see why within a year We'll probably have to move to a bigger building. I hope so. Oh, come on. Drink up your champagne. Let's dance. Hmm dance Why not? Because you don't know how to dance. No, well, I don't know how to smoke cigars either, but I never turn them down It should have been so easy So very very easy. Were you saying something dear? What? Oh, no, I was just talking to myself Children in bed finally Darling you look worried. I am Oh Betsy, I'm tired of swimming against the tide Nobody wants elevators. Nobody's interested in elevators no matter how safe they are all these months and not one single order I don't understand that you build the only safe elevator in the country in the world But outside of my family. It seems to be a well-kept secret Alisha If I thought that you'd lost faith faith Betsy, I wish I could tell you about the things I dream big cities buildings 15 stories high with towers that pierce the clouds 15 did I say? Betsy, I picture buildings 20 stories high a whole new world But I just can't get anyone else to see it then it's up to you to make them see it It isn't that simple. Well, I didn't say it was going to be simple I just said it's up to you to open their eyes Think of something different. Well, I don't know what but but something something something different Will you say people don't want elevators? Well, how can they Elisha? Maybe they don't know about them You know about them. Mr. Newhouse knows something different Something so so spectacular that the eyes of the world can be open. I wish I could help you but you have darling you have Where's the evening paper? I Think you're sitting on it. Oh, so I am now. Where'd I see that article? No, it's not on page 3. What are you muttering about here? It is listen to this Betsy this summer at the Crystal Palace New York City is going to be honored with the annual American Institute Fair all The latest improvements in modern living and so forth and so on. I'm afraid I don't understand They're going to be thousands and thousands of people. They're thousands upon thousands and I'm going to do something to entertain them That's something different you suggested. I'm going to build an elevator 40 feet high right at the entrance of the fair Yes, it should be quite a sight. Oh, it'll be the most amazing thing at the fair People will come from all over the country and when they leave the fair They're going back with the name of Elisha Graves Otis on their lips And you know why because you built the elevator because I built the elevator and because I'm going to ride that elevator to The top and when I get to the top I'll make them open their eyes Programs to the fair here get your souvenir programs folks know the locations of all the wonderful eye opening exhibitions found on the You're not going to do it Elisha you can't I must Betsy we've had this out a thousand times Hello, how else can I prove the elevator is safe, but to ride all the way up and then cut the cable, but it's safe It's an Otis safety elevator Betsy you yourself said I had to do something different Something it would make them sit up and take notice. I didn't mean you should kill yourself. Well, it's two o'clock Betsy They're all waiting. I've got to do it. Please please Elisha for my sake and the boys, please believe me Betsy I'm doing this for you and the boys. Maybe you better go over and sit on the bench there Well, I won't be able to look I won't have faith Betsy, please in what in me. Just have faith in me No, I've got to get over there Mr. Otis and his elevator step over this way There he is that's Otis getting on the elevator the program says he's going up four floors and then cut the room I bet he doesn't ride it. It's a fake elevator Ladies and gentlemen ladies and gentlemen, please may I have your attention? You have all heard it said that there is nothing new under the Sun Well, I stand before you now in the car of an Otis safety elevator to disprove that statement Now what happens today will prove to you that there can be a great and a new world ahead of us a New world ladies and gentlemen where the cities of men will reach up to touch the clouds All right Fred pull me up I am now at ten feet ladies and gentlemen, and I'm still going up Going up because that is the only direction that the future will take I am now exactly 20 feet What you are about to see is the future shape before your very eyes higher Fred higher That man has courage I am now at 40 feet At the top of this elevator for full stories above you I am now about to try an experiment that will once and for all times prove what I've been telling you here today Now this is not just an ordinary elevator. It is a safe elevator. Remember that And now in exactly five seconds. I shall cut the cave Man killing south one Congratulations, Mr. Otis. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. Let me through to my wife. Will you please always knew you could do it? Mr. Otis, congratulations. Thank you Betsy Let me look at you. You're a brave man. Mr. Otis. I'm very brave no more dangerous than crossing the street or taking a bath Oh darling, I'm sorry. Please. I say let me through please. Thank you. Mr. Otis Yes, sir, sir. I'd like to speak to you. Well at your service, sir My name is Kavanaugh Charles Kavanaugh Kavanaugh mills incorporated. I'm mighty interested in your elevator Well, I thank you for your interest, Mr. Kavanaugh. Really safe you say. Well, you saw it with your own eyes, sir So I did and I might say that well, I'm more than just interested I was wondering if I could call it your office say tomorrow morning around nine Well, I'll certainly be there. I've got five mills in Virginia and I'd like one elevator installed in every mill Fives that's right five. Well, I'll see you at nine in the morning My shirt your idea is a success already in order for five elevators. Think of that. Oh people are looking at us I know when you're kissing me. Mm-hmm, and it's much more fun than riding an elevator Manhattan skyline Chicago's loop San Francisco's towers These are the monuments to the genius of Elisha Otis Whose engineering skill inspired the vertical cities of today Things in the cavalcade players for the night story going up Now Bill Hamilton speaking for the DuPont company What happens when a large industry builds a plant in or near a small community? Is it good for everyone concerned? Well in the case of Tawanda, Pennsylvania, we have one answer to that question Tawanda used to be a farming town Today it has a DuPont plant making x-ray screens and television phosphors and another plant owned by Sylvania Electric products Local citizens will tell you what effect these plants have had on their town Wesley Perry automobile dealer says I started out in 1937 with six employees and a rented garage Now I have 19 employees and a place of my own My customers are both farmers and industrial workers Leo Rockwell, who's built 16 houses in two years and plans to build more says Industry is purely the reason for it My development is within walking distance of both the DuPont and the Sylvania plants and Then there's Bernard C. Wolfe president of the First National Bank. He adds Industry has raised the wage level all over town. I believe in the long run Almost everyone will have a higher living standard as a result Well now the DuPont plant in Tawanda is not large it normally employs about a hundred people Even so its payroll last year amounted to about four hundred thousand dollars Over a twelve month period eighty thousand dollars more went to local firms for goods and services DuPont is happy to be in Tawanda and the people in and around Tawanda seem to be happy with DuPont as a neighbor This is the pattern of America's industrial future with folks trolling home from work to bright gardens and nodding trees And we are happy indeed to have helped to create such a future with our DuPont better things for better living through chemistry Next week the DuPont cavalcade will present John London Walder Hamden in an American from France be sure to listen Tonight's DuPont cavalcade was written by David Harmon original music was composed by Arden Cornwell conducted by Donald Borey's The program was directed by John Zoller in tonight's cast you heard Robert Cummings starring as Elijah Otis Judith Parrish was featured as Betsy Fred Irving Lewis was Maze and Henry Calvin was Newhouse Ladies and gentlemen April has been designated as cancer control month Wholehearted public support is needed if more lives are to be saved send your contributions to the cancer fund. This is Sahara speaking Don't forget next week our stars John London Walder Hamden the cavalcade of America comes to you from the Velasco theater in New York and is sponsored by the DuPont company of Wilmington, Delaware makers of better things for better living through chemistry Next it's Barry Craig confidential investigator Next it's Barry Craig confidential investigator on NBC