Why the One World Trade Center Elevator Is the Coolest Time Machine Yet

A ride in one of the special elevators up to the observatory in One World Trade Center will provide more than a lift. Passengers will witness 515 years of time-lapsed Manhattan history during the 47-second ride up to the 102nd floor. The three-dimensional video art installation is projected onto nine 75-inch screens within the elevator cabs, which give passengers the impression that they're inside a glass-walled elevator. The video includes the rise of notable landmarks from the 1500s to today, including — somewhat controversially — the familiar image of the Twin Towers. The work was designed and produced by the Hettema Group and Blur Studio. You can experience the historical journey by watching the New York Times video below or by visiting the One World Trade Center observatory when it opens in May.