To ask what the lift is called?

[Downunderduchess]

Putting this here, because I don’t know what subject it should come under. I was fascinated with a recent thread where several people mentioned a particular type of lift. I had never heard of it before, definitely don’t think we have them in Australia. The lift goes around a track & you jump out at your floor. What is it called please?? I want to tell someone about it & would like to know it’s correct name. Thanks!

Oh wow! I have never heard of these in RL but they often crop up in my dreams, how weird!

I remember one at Galsgow University too- terrifying things.

What happened if you went over the top?

It's a paternoster - they used to have one at Northwick Park hospital when I worked there, it was brilliant!

What happened if you went over the top?

everyone did that at least once, and down the bottom. you just went through a dusty attic/basement.

What happens if you're still in it when it gets to the top?!

It moves sideways, it doesn't turn upside down.
So if you stay in you are safe, the floor remains the floor.

I’ve been on the one in Leicester...and yes, I went round the full circuit!

And when that elevator starts it’s ride
And down and down I go
And round and round I go

That Old Black Magic.

Upside down, imagine

Was it connected to the carriage next to it going the opposite, so you just went round in a circle?

I've used the Sheffield one. Not sure it conforms with modern expectations of accessibility.

Apols to Johnny Mercer for introducing apostrophe there.

Depends on your definition of safe really :o

They are more risky than modern lifts as they don't tend to have safety features so there is a higher chance of trips and falls. Most of them now have signs banning children from using them for that reason. And there don't tend to be any new ones being built. But yes they are designed to go slowly enough to allow you to get in and out.

There's a good Tom Scott video about them on YouTube!

Wow, doesn't look terrifically safe... imagining a toddler hopping in and parent catching next "compartment" trying to spot if they are getting off (Miranda Hart would be perfect in this role!).

Also, wheelchair accessilble? I would have thought there was a risk that the timing would have to be just so to prevent the wheels getting stuck/tipping.

You haven't been to Sheffield university unless you've done the full circuit!

No, you aren't allowed to use them in a wheelchair. Only on foot.

Ah the excitement and rebellion of staying in the Arts Tower paternoster as it went over the top

Living life on the edge

This is like stuff from Harry Potter 😱😱😱😱

Was it connected to the carriage next to it going the opposite, so you just went round in a circle?
Yes. It takes its name from the prayer (paternoster = our father). Imagine a set of rosary beads passing through your hands, round and round.

I also went to Sheffield, it's a rite of passage to ride it all the way round .

“The name paternoster ("Our Father", the first two words of the Lord's Prayer in Latin) was originally applied to the device because the elevator is in the form of a loop and is thus similar to rosary beads used as an aid in reciting prayers.[2]”
I thought it was because you would say a last prayer before boarding

That terrifies me!! I wouldn’t go near that!!!

Glasgow University has one. I used to be scared of using the bloody thing and would climb 6 flights of stairs to avoid using it! Curiosity eventually got the better of me though...

Riding the paternoster whilst horrendously hungover was a regular occurrence