Daily AncestorElevator operator
An elevator operator ran a hand-controlled elevator in an office building, hotel or department store, opening the doors and stopping level with each floor.
Early elevators had to be driven by hand. The operator, employed by the building or store, worked the controls, saw to safe loading and closing of the doors, brought the car level with the floor, and often guided visitors to the right office or department.
The job faded as elevators became automatic. The 1940 census gave elevator operator, wholesale plumbing supplies as an example of a correct entry.
As seen in a recordOccupation and industry columns of the 1910 to 1940 census
Mamie Ross, 22, Elevator operator, Dept. store
Sources
How to cite this page
Daily Ancestor. "Elevator operator." Dictionary of Old Record Words. https://dailyancestor.com/dictionary/occupations/elevator-operator. Last checked 2026-10-10.