Although it is the most used means of transportation in the world (more than 100 million trips per day in the United States), the elevator has only one objective: to move people or objects from one floor to another. And for that, an elevator does not need to be aesthetically pleasing.
However, some elevators are so incredible that they attract tourists from all over the world. Whether it is to carry very heavy loads, or to move in impassable places, these elevators have called upon the incredible ingenuity of the people who imagined them.
1. The “One World Observatory” Elevator
As incredible as it may seem, out of the 73 elevators in One World Trade Center, the one that accesses the One World Observatory (a museum located on the 102nd floor of the tower) climbs those floors in 47 seconds. In those 47 seconds, a 500-year journey takes place. Thanks to the screens on the walls of the cabin, travelers follow the evolution of New York City since its birth.
2. “Aquadom” At The Radisson Hotel In Berlin
At first glance, this is a beautiful aquarium in a hotel, nothing very surprising. However, this 25 meter high aquarium with more than 2500 tropical fish living in salt water, also hides an elevator. Just a cylindrical elevator, which allows this unique visit of the aquarium. For your information, it is one of the only aquariums in the world to house a coral reef. Moreover, if you plan to visit it, every day at 2 pm, divers serve eight kilograms of food to the fish.
3. The “Rising Tide Bar” Of The Cruise Ship Oasis Of The Seas
We are now on another sphere, we are talking about a cruise ship of 362 meters long, 66 meters wide, which can accommodate 6296 passengers and 2165 crew members. In addition to the 21 pools, the spa, the mini-golf, the zip line and the various activities present on the ship, it has a bar. Not just any bar, the Rising Tide Bar, an elevator bar that allows guests to tour the ship while sipping a drink.
4. The 326 Meter “Bailong” Elevator In China
Recognized as the world’s tallest outdoor elevator, the Bailong Elevator is built on the side of a cliff in Wulingyuan in Zhangjiajie, China. Built in 3 years, from 1999 to 2002, this elevator promises an incredible view of the pillars of the Wulingyuan Historical Park.
5. The “Eiffel Tower” Elevators
Present at the inauguration of the Eiffel Tower in 1889, these elevators were then a real technical feat. At that time, such a height and load had never been imagined for elevators. Today, the five elevators in the tower travel more than 100,000 kilometers per year, or two and a half times around the earth.
It is important to note that these elevators are unique in the world, they cannot really be compared to elevators, funiculars or cable cars. This was a problem for their renovation in 2008. The renovation lasted 6 years and everything was made to measure to keep this unique mechanism, invented in 1899.
6. The “Falkirk Wheel” In Scotland
Let’s go back to our previous aquatic sphere to welcome the Wheel of Falkirk, a very normal elevator that transports boats. Indeed, this rotating elevator connects the Forth and Clyde Canal to the Union Canal, near the town of Falkirk in central Scotland. Opened since 2002, this result of human engineering allows boats of 24 meters long to reach the Union Canal located at 11 meters high.
7. The Pater Noster, The Legendary Continuous Elevator
This ingenious device, invented in 1868 by Peter Ellis (an English architect) is an elevator that never stops, users must simply enter the cabin, when it is reachable. At the time, this device worked very well because it transported more people than a conventional device, during the same time. Today, there are only a few hundred Pater Noster aircraft in the world (especially in Germany, where there are 231).
The reasons for this are simple: the first reason is that the speed of the lift is limited to allow the user to enter the cabin. As a result, conventional elevators with a much higher speed have become faster. The second reason is the high risk of accidents, due to poor safety, especially for elderly people. The legend of these elevators is based on the unknown that takes place above and below, on the top and second floors.
Looking for help?
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