For lifting heavy weights you need a hoist or crane. At its most basic a hoist is a fixed point from which a pulley block is suspended. Hoists were and are used on the outside of warehouses feeding outside doors at the various floors, this meant no room inside was taken up with a lift or elevator. Probably the most common form was a simple wooden beam or length of girder mounted in a wall above a doorway or opening. This is technically called a 'cat head', the term coming from sailing ships where such a support was rigged to lift an anchor whilst keeping it clear of the ships side.
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/gansg/9-loads/11-crane.htm