

Lee Gray
Architectural historian and professor emeritus specializing in vertical and horizontal transportation; provided expert context about elevators, escalators, and moving sidewalks.
Top 3 podcasts with Lee Gray
Ranked by the Snipd community

45 snips
Nov 18, 2025 • 40min
The Moving Walkway Is Ending
In this engaging discussion, reporter Jasper Davidoff explores the history of moving walkways, revealing their unexpected airport dominance, while architectural historian Lee Gray shares insights on their origins and failed city implementations. They delve into 19th-century transit ideas, the public's fascination at world's fairs, and the cultural impact of iconic installations like O'Hare's Tunnel of Light. The conversation also touches on the decline of walkways today and speculates on their potential revival in urban settings, blending efficiency with joy.

12 snips
Oct 18, 2025 • 51min
How to Master Emotional Power & How Elevators Changed the World - SYSK Choice
Join neuropsychologist Julia DiGangi, author of *Energy Rising*, as she dives into the nuances of emotional power and how our brains react to uncertainty. She shares how self-trust can counter the anxiety of ambiguity. Meanwhile, architectural historian Lee Gray, author of *From Ascending Rooms to Express Elevators*, reveals the evolution of elevators from risky contraptions to modern marvels, explaining their profound impact on urban life and social dynamics. Get ready for a fascinating blend of neuroscience and architecture!

Oct 3, 2024 • 37min
What Elevators Teach Us About Technology, Design, and Human Behavior
Lee Gray, a renowned elevator historian and architectural history professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, shares fascinating insights into the world of elevators. He discusses how elevators revolutionized urban landscapes, enabling skyscrapers and shaping human behavior. Gray highlights cutting-edge innovations, including space-bound elevators and lateral movement systems. Their simultaneous invention alongside escalators marked a pivotal moment in the Industrial Revolution. With a mix of history and humor, the conversation also touches on the quirky portrayal of elevators in films.


