A contribution on the history of ropeways

Abstract

The history of ropeways is directly related to the development and manufacturing of ropes and cables. Therefore the invention of the steel cable in 1834 by Albert increased the speed of the further development of new ropeway systems. Initially the development was focused on ropeways for transportation of goods, later interest turned to ropeways for passenger transport. The first part of this contribution gives a brief overview of the historical development of rope-making, while the second part deals with the various steps of development of ropeway systems from the ancient times to the period between the two world wars.