Today in History - 1951

The first push button-controlled Park-O-Mat garage opened in Washington, DC by Parking Services Inc. It had no ramps, no aisles and no lanes. Instead a single attendant, without entering a car, could automatically park or return an auto in less than a minute. It used a "vehicle parking apparatus" (patented 14 Oct 1947, No. 2,428,856). Two elevators parked 72 cars on a lot 25 by 40 feet. The garage was an open building with 16 floors and 2 basement levels.