For people who avoid escalators for fear of getting their toes crushed, paternoster are a death trap.
A small misstep and you could lose your arm or even your life.
The first paternoster was installed in 1884 in Dartford, England.
Seven years prior, its patent was obtained by a British engineer named Peter Hart.
A paternoster in Hamburg, Germany.
Paternosters are largely extinct today.
Because of risk of injury many countries have banned them altogether.
Because then youd have to ban cars, because theres of course the danger of an accident.
These elevators are a part of industrial history.
Once upon a time, paternosters were everywhere.
Now they are mainly found in administrative buildings such as government ministries, town halls and police headquarters.
Installation of new paternosters are still banned since 1974.
Animation of a paternoster.
Photo credit:RokerHRO/Wikimedia
People riding a paternoster in Stuttgart, Germany.
Photo credit:Lucas Weber/Flickr
A passenger gets off a paternoster in Munich.
Photo credit:Nico Kaiser/Flickr
Paternoster at Stuttgart City Hall.
Photo credit:Andrew Nash/Flickr
A paternoster at Sheffield University, Sheffield, England.
Photo credit:david g Johnson/Panoramio
Sources:Wikipedia/The Guardian/Quartz
