Paternoster, A Cyclic Elevator

A paternoster is a passenger elevator which consists of a chain of open compartments that move slowly in a loop up and down inside a building without stopping. Passengers can step on or off at any floor they like. As a result of safety issues, many such lifts have been shut down.

First built in 1884 by the Dartford, England engineering firm of J & E Hall Ltd as the Cyclic Elevator, the name paternoster 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.

LINK, Via: Youtube, Via: Blog on a Toothpick

MN Elevator Company

This clever ad by the Grey Group in Japan promotes a brand of knives. As the elevator doors open, a knife appears to slice through a lobster.

Link, Via: Super Punch | Agency Website | Photo: Akihiro Ito, Via: Neatorama

Cat Lift

You know how people help their cats to reach upper floors by installing cat ladders? Those can’t hold a candle to this cat-operated automatic feline elevator!

The more comfortable way to get into the garden...
The elevator is fully operated by the cat.
the cabin is fitted with an infrared catflap, only the domestic cat has access.

LINK, Via: Neatorama, Via: Youtube

32 Creative Elevators

Some of these are pretty cool. LINK

Elevator mural casts you as Adam on the Sistine Chapel's ceiling

Scanned from an unknown source, a mural near the elevator in a plastic surgeon's office that casts the rider in the role of Adam on the Sistine Chapel.

Advertising / Be Born Again (Via: Geisha Asobi), Via: Boingboing

Hamster with Lego Elevator

Dopey the hamster has her own private elevator made of Legos! Watch her use it to get to her sleeping quarters, although it takes her a few tries. LINK, Via: Youtube

TRAPPED IN AN ELEVATOR FOR 41 HOURS

Accompanying video to Nick Paumgarten's piece "Up and Then Down" from the April 21st issue of The New Yorker. Footage of Nicholas White trapped in an elevator in the McGraw-Hill Building.

Music: "The Storm Begins," by Jennifer Haines. LINK

READ THE STORY: http://tinyurl.com/572u5f

Interesting Elevators

Bailong Elevator


This controversial 326 metre high elevator takes you up the side of one of the many enormous cliffs in Zhangjiajie, China - the lower 1/3 running from a cavern through the rock, the top 2/3 rising outside to the summit - and is the highest and heaviest outdoor elevator in the world. the elevator has an uncertain future due to the potential harm caused to the surrounding landscape. LINK

The elevator in action:


Zhang Jia Jie in Hunan Province has this very high elevator that goes up the side of a cliff. Kinda scary! LINK: Youtube