Introducing the Paternoster

Invented in 1884 as the "cyclic elevator," the paternoster is an open-front continuously-moving elevator.

This example, one of the few still in operation, is in the Albert Sloman Library at the University of Essex.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• essex
• university
• paternoster
• elevator
• library

[videogamer24385]

what if you go to high... do you get squished?

[EwoktheMoid]

@videogamer24385 No, when the cars reach the top or bottom of the shafts, the cars just slide sideways. From the perspective of the rider, it's just dark for a bit and you can see some gears. Riders are warned not to "over-ride," but that's not because it's dangerous. It's because the elevator's emergency stop is especially sensitive at the top and bottom, and it's easy to accidentally trigger it and stop the whole contraption. Then everybody has to wait for the maintenance man to reset it.

[sakurakimuchiego]

I like that girl at 0:38! where is this music from?

[EwoktheMoid]

It's called "The Drive (Long Edit)" by Alexander Perls.

[PoultryBuffer]

Those are very cool but would never last in the States. Some dumbass would get his head caught in the thing and his family would sue and own the building.

[gobgobcachoo]

or someone would be too fat & get stuck XD

[Cruithne3753]

There was one years ago in Fairfax House in Bristol (where the Galleries are now).  Never got round to riding in it when it was still there though.

[curtisbadger]

This is where i spend most of time at uni. :D

[RussMusiq1]

This would be a trial lawyers dream in USA.

[2kapufa]

@smokemadbong

There is a sefety mechanism at the edge of the floor and in the box above every cabin. It stops the elevator if you gat pressed against it.

Morover part of the floor is hinged both in elevator the cabin and in the slab in feront of the cabins. It can fold up to grant some space for survival.

Only If all these safety stuff fails, you may get cut into half.

This is exactly the case with normal elevators too. If all safety mechanism fails, you can die...

[smokemadbong]

what if you fall half way in it and half way out and get cut in half

[kaalkop]

what if u dont get off on the last stop?

[MrUNIXman]

I took a ride in this paternoster other day, I rode it round twice. I did see the big wheel at the top

[MsEva45]

I grew up in Berlin and we used to rede these for fun when we were kids until they kicked us out of the building. Mostly the senate and public buildingds in Berlin. Yes, they are fun. Tried to explain those the other day to some friends at work. They looked at me like I'm crazy. Glad to find it on You Tube. Thanls for posting this.