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Is It Time for Germany’s Doorless Elevators to Move On?

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Re: Is It Time for Germany’s Doorless Elevators to Move On?

#21

Post by acqq »

The first time I saw it in some old US silent-movie comedy as I was kid. I was scared just as I've seen it. You can imagine that those guys managed to make gags with that.

I can't find that movie (maybe somebody knows) (Edit: German Wikipedia mentions Charlie Chaplin?) the only thing I can find is something completely different I've also remembered:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXBmUOjgWJE&t=8m20s

Back to the chain elevator, as a grown-up I rode in it, and it felt not scary, more like "safe enough" and even interesting.

But it surely isn't made for everybody.

Re: Is It Time for Germany’s Doorless Elevators to Move On?

#23

Post by astrodust »

acqq wrote: post #21

The first time I saw it in some old US silent-movie comedy as I was kid. I was scared just as I've seen it. You can imagine that those guys managed to make gags with that. I can't find that movie (maybe somebody knows) (Edit: German Wikipedia mentions Charlie Chaplin?) the only thing I can find is something completely different I've also remembered: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXBmUOjgWJE&t=8m20s Back to the chai…

Twin steps into up elevator, twin steps out of opposite side. People completely confused.

Re: Is It Time for Germany’s Doorless Elevators to Move On?

#24

Post by BjoernKW »

Interestingly, they're mostly found in official buildings ( fiscal authorities etc.), not exactly environments that are usually known to be particularly risk-prone.

Anyway, though I've yet to use one of those lifts to me they look like a rather ingenious design (another aspect official buildings usually aren't exactly renowned for). Sure, they're not accessible but for most people they provide a more swift experience than common lifts.

This reminds me of the new (old) Routemaster bus models reintroduced recently that allow you to hop on and off while the bus is already / still driving (slowly, that is): Sure, it's a bit dangerous but to those willing to take that little risk and extra thrill they quite possibly provide a better user experience.

Re: Is It Time for Germany’s Doorless Elevators to Move On?

#26

Post by steve_g »

I remember using something similar in US paper mills during the mid-late '80s. We called it a manlift. It was basically a vertical rubber conveyor belt with a small platform and a handhold located every 10' or so. It ran through holes in the floor. You just approached it, stepped onto the platform, and grabbed the handhold. There was a limit switch to stop the belt if you didn't get off at the highest floor, because it did just return down the other side.

Re: Is It Time for Germany’s Doorless Elevators to Move On?

#27

Post by sorbits »

chralieboy wrote: post #6

The article cites no statistics on actual injuries. Neither do the politicians wanting to ban them out of safety concerns. For something around for this long, you'd think they'd be able to at least give an example of someone getting hurt.

Denmark had a fatal accident a month ago involving a 80 year old man who got his head stuck.

But beyond that episode, I know of no statistics.

Article in Danish: http://ekstrabladet.dk/112/80-aarig-draebt-i-elevator-paa-ax...

Re: Is It Time for Germany’s Doorless Elevators to Move On?

#28

Post by tim333 »

TheOtherHobbes wrote: post #19
Someone1234 wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

While that does look incredibly unsafe (and would get vandalised/abused a lot of left unattended) it also looks quite fun to use and I can see why people like them.

I tried one back when the UK still had them. They are fun - so fun I went up and down a few times. (It was late, and the building was almost empty.) They feel reliable. You hop on, you go up/down, you hop off. You don't wait to see if the button you pushed actually did something, you don't try to find a place in a small herd of anxious people with decreased personal space, none of whom are talking, you don't get clau…

There still seems to be one at Sheffield University

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arts_Tower

Re: Is It Time for Germany’s Doorless Elevators to Move On?

#29

Post by [deleted] »

jeffbush wrote: post #18
js2 wrote: post #17

I don't know how much truth there is to this, but my father once told me there had been very few fatalities on the original 7 mile bridge in the Florida keys. But since the new bridge opened in 1982, there have been fatal accidents every few years. The reason being the old bridge was so narrow (originally it was a railroad bridge), folks really paid attention driving it, but with the new wider bridge, drivers became…

I've heard a similar argument about bike helmets. It seems like there should be a fancier name for this effect.

[deleted]

Re: Is It Time for Germany’s Doorless Elevators to Move On?

#30

Post by toomuchtodo »

js2 wrote: post #17

I don't know how much truth there is to this, but my father once told me there had been very few fatalities on the original 7 mile bridge in the Florida keys. But since the new bridge opened in 1982, there have been fatal accidents every few years. The reason being the old bridge was so narrow (originally it was a railroad bridge), folks really paid attention driving it, but with the new wider bridge, drivers became…

Urban planners use this as a method to slow (or calm) traffic, specifically by narrowing lanes with protected bike lanes or diagonal parking on both sides of a street.
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