Odd factoids

[bruce1530]

Escalators present considerable construction challenges at installation, as it is necessary to construct a massive void at each end - ironically, about the size of a bungalow - to accommodate all of the steps which move up or down the escalator each day. At the beginning of each working day, the void at the start of the escalator contains around 10,000 steps, which throughout the day are sent along the escalator tracks. When each step reaches the top (or bottom) they are stored in the void.

At the end of every working day, the escalator is run for a time in reverse, often at high speed, thus transferring the used steps back to their starting point, ready for another day’s operation.

 

[classic33]

Traumatized customers on the first escalator were given cognac in order to revive them after their ‘ordeal’.

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

The ancient Babylonians invented the first escalator in the Palace of Nebukanoldgeezer. However, due to a poor understanding of the first principles (Isaac Newton hadn't been invented yet), their escalator stood still whilst the entire Palace was raised and lowered by an ingenious system of winches, aquaducts and midgets. If the Emperor wanted to visit his throne room in the top of the Palace, he stood on the escalator whilst the Palace was lowered to the appropriate height.

 

[bruce1530]

The need for large voids at each end of the escalator was solved by the introduction of “Dutch Esclators”.

Always employed in pairs, Dutch Escalators do away with the large void for storing the treads. Instead, there is a small Dutchman in a little room at the end of each escalators, who continually catches the incoming steps, turns them round, and re-fits them to the outgoing escalator. At the other end, a similar process applies.

The “Italian Escalator” works on the same principle, but utilises teams of italians at each end. Invented by the Lancia company, Italian escalators look more stylish and run faster, but break down regularly and rust.

 

[NorthernDave]

Former SAS long distance Iraqi dodger and best selling author Chris Ryan is a distant relative of Private Ryan from that Tom Hanks film.

 

[raleighnut]

Former SAS long distance Iraqi dodger and best selling author Chris Ryan is a distant relative of Private Ryan from that Tom Hanks film.

Was it him had his privates shaved in the 'spin-off' film, dunno as I've never seen it.

 

[Dave7]

The need for large voids at each end of the escalator was solved by the introduction of “Dutch Esclators”.

Always employed in pairs, Dutch Escalators do away with the large void for storing the treads. Instead, there is a small Dutchman in a little room at the end of each escalators, who continually catches the incoming steps, turns them round, and re-fits them to the outgoing escalator. At the other end, a similar process applies.

The “Italian Escalator” works on the same principle, but utilises teams of italians at each end. Invented by the Lancia company, Italian escalators look more stylish and run faster, but break down regularly and rust.

A small town in Italy called Chipalata installed its first ever escalator in 1872.
At the time the population was 8792 (which included 18 dogs). The "engineer" had never installed one before and inadvertantly left out 3 steps.
When the population had dropped to 3693 someone connected the dots and all the missing people were found in a heap under the gap.
Fortunately MacDonalds had just opened and people had dumped their leftovers in the gap so everyone survived........although they did pong a bit.

 

[david k]

Escalators present considerable construction challenges at installation, as it is necessary to construct a massive void at each end - ironically, about the size of a bungalow - to accommodate all of the steps which move up or down the escalator each day. At the beginning of each working day, the void at the start of the escalator contains around 10,000 steps, which throughout the day are sent along the escalator tracks. When each step reaches the top (or bottom) they are stored in the void.

At the end of every working day, the escalator is run for a time in reverse, often at high speed, thus transferring the used steps back to their starting point, ready for another day’s operation.

Interesting, I always thought they supplied new steps each day....they put it in reverse...... some clever folk about

 

[classic33]

Interesting, I always thought they supplied new steps each day....they put it in reverse...... some clever folk about

That's why they appear to break down every now and again.

They can't always get the storage space, so the stop them whilst they break the chain, before re-attaching them to the "correct" end.

 

[Drago]

Mince was originally inspired by the human remains swept clean from under escalators each day.

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

Pot Noodles are the scrapings off 2642 restaurant cookers.

 

[roadrash]

since the introduction of escalators, steps have been out of work..

 

[david k]

The answer is in the bottom of a glass.......I'm just not sure which one so will continue drinking until I find it

 

[david k]

since the introduction of escalators, steps have been out of work.. View attachment 406928

My wife took the lift to a steps concert, she's American so doesn't see the irony

 

[david k]

Are factoids facts on steroids?