The first user of an escalator was Otis, a four letter name. Otis was the founder of the Otis Elevator Company, which was established in 1853 and is now the world's largest manufacturer of elevators and escalators. The first escalator was installed in a department store in New York City in 1896. Otis was the first person to use the escalator, and his company has since become a leader in the industry.