Tower of Babel or an indoor bungee jump?

We were in Bristol, Connecticut, the other day checking out potential sites for our on-location photography workshops when we spotted this strange windowless building that towered above every structure in the area, including the mass of satellite dishes at ESPN. It was one of those strange tower-like structures that you could see no matter where you were in town. So, we drove in its general direction out of curiosity wondering if it was a modern day tower of Babel or indoor bungee jump for nearby Lake Compounce theme park.

We worked our way back to a small industrial park and found the tower looming over a two story office building, the research and testing center for Otis Elevator. Yes, the 383 foot tower with windows around the top was the place where they cut the cable when the elevator is up to see what happens when it hits bottom. While it was one of the most mysterious buildings that I have ever seen, I sure am glad it exists. I have often joked about how high a freefalling elevator would bounce when it hit those big springs at the bottom of the shaft. I guess the guys in this building know the answer.