Isn’t this interesting?  I have now read about Elisha Otis and his elevator demonstration in two different books in the last few months.  The most recent (and very thorough) account is in Daniel Pink’s new book To Sell is Human.  Mr. Pink tells about the day in 1853 when Elisha Otis, who had successfully invented/designed/built a safety system to keep an elevator from plummeting to the bottom of its shaft when a cable snapped, put on a rather unforgettable demonstration.

From the book:

Mr. Otis rented out the main exhibit hall of what was then New York City’s largest convention center.  …He constructed an open elevator platform…  One afternoon, he gathered convention-goers for a demonstration.  He climbed onto the platform, (rose to) the top height, about three stories off the ground.  Then, as he stood and gazed down at the crowd, Otis took an ax and slashed the rope that was suspending the elevator in midair.
The audience gasped…  But, in seconds, the safety brake engaged and halted the elevator’s descent.  Otis looked out and said, “All safe, gentlemen.  All safe.”

It was a simple, succinct, and effective way to convey a complex message in an effort to move others – the world’s first elevator pitch.

The lessons are clear, unmistakable, simple.  When you have an important message to deliver, gather a crowd, and “demonstrate” the truth of your message if at all possible.  

A crowd, a believable message, a demonstration.  I bet the people never forgot this moment.

In a world of seemingly way too many elevator speeches/pitches, this story might help you tackle this important question:  “How can I stand out in my 30 second shot at being heard”