Water Hydraulic Power Water! The lifting of water was the first preoccupation of early humans as they entered the era of systematic agriculture. In turn, water later became the primary medium of lifting for two centuries. It was a tremendous servant when converted to steam at the outset of the European Industrial Revolution -- one of the igniting sparks! For a brief period, it was used as a counterbalance; then, backed by central or on-site steam or gas engines, it was the medium that pushed and pulled -- either through roping or direct-action -- lifting very heavy loads and moving passengers to new heights at previously unobtainable speeds. Water was easily manipulated by primitive, then increasingly sophisticated valve systems. In this era, the sinking of holes for cylinders became a new art form, and the elevator industry learned to use accumulators and counterweights with increasing expertise. The need for piston and valve packing engendered new materials and techniques. New alloys and finer finishes were developed for cylinders, pistons and valve blocks to take higher pressures and provide smoother operation. The water hydraulic era began with slow, heavy industrial lifting at the docks, foundries and factories; migrated to low-level commercial lifting, then moved on to high-speed passenger applications with either direct action or the multiplication of sheaving. On the way, the enormous lifting capacities of water hydraulics was tapped to lift, often with equalization, rail equipment, stage lifts and other enormous loads once thought unmanageable. So efficient were the hydraulic elevators they were to reappear during the electric era, in a new dimension and renewal of their former glory, powered by oil instead of water!