Escalator facts for kids
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An escalator is like a moving staircase. It helps people travel between different floors in a building or structure. It works using a special chain of steps that are moved by an electric motor. These steps stay flat as they move, making it easy to ride.
Escalators are used all over the world. They are great for places where many people need to move quickly, like department stores, shopping malls, airports, train stations, and sports arenas. They are also found in convention centers, hotels, and public buildings.
One cool thing about escalators is that they can move a lot of people without much waiting. Even if an escalator stops working, it can still be used as a normal staircase. This is different from many other types of transport that become useless if they break down or lose power.
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How Did Escalators Start?
Who Invented the Escalator?
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The idea of a moving staircase goes back a long time! In 1859, a person named Nathan Ames from Massachusetts got a patent for what he called "revolving stairs." Even though his design was never built, it was the first step.
Later, in 1892, Jesse W. Reno patented his "Endless Conveyor or Elevator." He built the first working escalator in 1896. It was installed at Coney Island in New York City. This early escalator was like a moving belt with wooden slats. It helped people go up a gentle slope.
Around the same time, Charles Seeberger worked with the Otis Elevator Company. In 1899, they created the first commercial escalator. It had flat, moving stairs, much like the ones we see today. This invention won a top prize at the 1900 World's Fair in Paris.
Escalator Becomes a Common Word
For many years, the Otis Elevator Company owned the special name "escalator." Other companies had to call their moving stairs by different names, like "Motorstair" or "Electric Stairway."
But in 1950, a court case changed everything. The court decided that "escalator" had become a common word that everyone used for moving stairways. So, the name "escalator" became free for anyone to use. This is why today, all moving staircases are called escalators, no matter who made them.
Old Escalators Still Working
Some very old escalators are still in use today! Here are a few examples:
- The St Anna Pedestrian Tunnel in Antwerp, Belgium (opened 1933).
- The Maastunnel's bicycle/pedestrian tunnel in Rotterdam, The Netherlands (opened 1942).
- The Macy's Herald Square department store in New York, U.S. (some opened in the 1920s).
How Are Escalators Designed?
When engineers design escalators, they think about many things. They consider how far the escalator needs to go, how many people will use it, and how much space is available. They also make sure the building can support the escalator's weight and provide power.
Escalators usually go up at an angle of 30 or 35 degrees. They move at about 1 to 3 feet per second. This means they can move thousands of people every hour!
There are different ways escalators can be set up:
- Parallel: Up and down escalators are placed side-by-side. You often see this in train stations.
- Multiple Parallel: Several escalators go in the same direction, next to other escalators going the opposite way.
- Crisscross: Escalators going up are "stacked" with escalators going down, but they are at right angles to each other. This is common in department stores and shopping centers.
Most modern escalators have moving handrails. These handrails move at the same speed as the steps. This helps riders hold on and stay steady, especially when stepping on or off.
Sometimes, the direction of an escalator can be changed. For example, during busy times, all escalators might go up to help people leave a concert. Other times, they might switch direction based on who arrives first.
What Are Escalators Made Of?
- Parts of an Escalator
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An escalator being fixed at Town Hall station in Sydney, Australia.
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A "freestanding" escalator showing its inside parts.
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The metal frame (truss) of an escalator.
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The motor that powers an escalator.
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An escalator with its steps removed.
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An escalator with a "bellows" handrail.
An escalator has several main parts:
- Landing Platforms: These are the flat areas at the top and bottom where you step on and off. They hold the gears and motors that move the steps.
- Truss: This is the strong, hollow metal frame that connects the top and bottom platforms. It supports all the moving parts.
- Balustrade: This is the side part of the escalator. It includes the handrails and the panels that protect the moving parts.
- Handrail: This is the moving belt you hold onto. It's made of layers of rubber and strong fabric or steel. It moves at the same speed as the steps.
- Steps: These are the actual moving stairs. They are usually made of strong metal like aluminum or steel. They have special ridges that fit together like a comb. This helps keep things from getting stuck.
- Track System: Inside the truss, there are tracks that guide the wheels of the steps. These tracks make the steps flatten out at the top and bottom, and then form stairs in the middle.
Special Escalator Designs
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Did you know there are spiral escalators? These amazing escalators curve as they go up or down! The first working spiral escalator was made by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation in Japan in 1985. You can find one in the Emporium Centre in San Francisco, USA.
There are also ideas for escalators that can move in straight lines or curves, and even change their height. These new designs aim to save space and make travel even easier.
Escalator Safety
Safety is super important for escalators. They are powerful machines, so it's important to be careful. Here are some safety tips:
- Watch your clothing and shoelaces: Loose clothing, shoelaces, or soft shoes (like Crocs or flip-flops) can sometimes get caught in the moving parts. Always be aware of your feet and clothing.
- Hold the handrail: This helps you keep your balance, especially when stepping on and off.
- Stand facing forward: This helps you see where you are going and prepare to step off.
- Don't play on escalators: Escalators are for transport, not for games. Playing can lead to accidents.
- Look for safety signs: Many escalators have signs with important safety rules.
Escalators also have safety features built in. There are often emergency stop buttons that can be pressed if there's a problem. In some countries, like India, escalators have "sari guards" to prevent loose clothing from getting caught.
After a serious fire at King's Cross station in London in 1987, many old wooden escalators were replaced. This event showed how important it is to keep escalators clean and well-maintained to prevent accidents. Now, there are strict rules and regular checks to make sure escalators are safe.
Escalator Rules
In many places, there's an unspoken rule about how to ride an escalator. If you want to stand still, you usually stand on one side (often the right side in places like the UK, USA, and Hong Kong). This leaves the other side open for people who want to walk up or down the escalator quickly.
However, this rule can be different in various cities. For example, in Osaka, Japan, people stand on the right, but in Tokyo, they stand on the left! Some places, like the Prague metro, even encourage people to stand on *both* sides to help the escalator wear evenly.
Remember, the main goal is to be polite and safe while using escalators!
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