In a novel titled for one of these things, US President Lancelot R. Gillgrass initially thinks that the protagonists are Martians who have come to the Space Hotel USA to do harm.  
Three weeks after VJ day, a strike initiated by men who worked with these machines ground New York City to a halt.  Peter Cooper, again of Cooper Union fame, optimistically carved out a cylindrical space for one of these devices on the assumption that a safe one would be practical within four years.  Werner von Siemens built the first (*) electric-powered one of these devices.  In a novel titled for one of these things, US President Lancelot R. Gillgrass initially thinks that the protagonists are Martians who have come to the Space Hotel USA to do harm.  One of these devices titles the sequel to Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  A "safety" one of these devices was shown off in an 1857 demonstration where a rope was cut from under inventor Elisha Graves Otis.  The Dover company made these devices before being bought by ThyssenKrupp.  For 10 points, name these devices which transport people in skyscrapers.
Three weeks after VJ day, a strike initiated by men who worked with these machines ground New York City to a halt.  
elevators [or lift or glass elevator or flying elevator]