Elevators in Science Fiction Television

Elevators are more than just a way to get from one floor to another. In science fiction television, they often double as a key storytelling device, a place for character moments, or even a futuristic showcase of advanced technology. Let’s take a ride through some of the most memorable sci-fi elevators on TV.

Turbolifts – Star Trek

Turbolifts have been a staple of the Star Trek universe since the original series. They whisk crew members between decks at incredible speeds and sometimes even move horizontally. In Star Trek: The Next Generation, they were large enough for intimate character conversations between Captain Picard and his crew.

Fun Fact: On the set, Turbolift doors were noisy, so actors were told not to start speaking until the doors fully opened and closed.

Tube Elevators – The Jetsons

In The Jetsons, tube elevators whisk George Jetson and family through their futuristic high-rise world. They operated almost like a pneumatic tube at the bank, zipping people up and down effortlessly.

Fun Fact: The Jetsons’ pneumatic tube elevators were inspired by real-life pneumatic mail systems that existed in cities during the early 20th century.

Transporters – Stargate Atlantis

In Stargate Atlantis, the transporter was a cross between an elevator and a beaming device. Step inside, choose your destination, and moments later, the doors open to reveal a completely different part of the city.

Fun Fact: Unlike most sci-fi elevators, the Atlantis transporters never actually “moved”. The actors simply stepped into one set, paused, then stepped out onto another set dressed to look like a different location.

Futurama’s Tube Transport System

In the year 3000, personal rapid transit takes on a whole new form in Futurama with the pneumatic tube system. Citizens of New New York zip from place to place in transparent tubes, sometimes with hilarious and unpredictable results. Whether it is Fry getting sucked through upside down or Bender nonchalantly smoking a cigar mid-flight, these tubes are an instantly recognizable part of the show’s futuristic cityscape.

Fun Fact: The tube transport was inspired by old-fashioned pneumatic mail tubes that used compressed air to send canisters between offices and buildings, a technology that actually exists in the real world and is still in use in some places today.

Lifts – Red Dwarf

In Red Dwarf, the lifts were sometimes quirky and unreliable, much like the ship itself. Their simple design fit perfectly with the grungy, lived-in feel of the mining vessel.

Fun Fact: Many of the lift interiors on Red Dwarf were actually re-dressed portions of other sets to save on the show’s famously tight budget.

The TARDIS – Doctor Who

While not technically an elevator, the TARDIS often acts like one, transporting the Doctor and companions to entirely different worlds and times. Step inside and you can end up anywhere in space or time.

Fun Fact: The TARDIS control room set has been rebuilt numerous times over the show’s history, but the exterior police box look has remained unchanged since the 1960s.

From silent glides between starship decks to pneumatic zips through cartoon cities, sci-fi elevators are proof that even a simple trip between floors can be full of imagination and wonder.