here are some that may actually be enjoyable to ride.
bailong elevator
talk about daunting.
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.
the elevator in action…
elevador de santa justa
situated on santa justa street in lisbon is this incredible looking urban lift by the name of ‘elevador de santa justa’. built in 1900, the 45 metre elevator connects the downtown area of the city to the upper level whilst also giving a great view of the city from the top.
here’s the view from inside…
skytower elevator
if you even come close to filling your pants whilst travelling in an elevator i suggest that you never travel up or down the skytower in auckland, new zealand due to a glass section in the floor of the lift.
watch the lift in action…
elevador lacerda
like the elevator in lisbon, this striking construction in salvador transports the public from one level of the town to the next, at the same time providing a perfect view of the bay coastline below.
apparently the elevator manages to carry approximately 28,000 people per day at a cost of r$0.05 per 38 second ride.
louvre elevator
the hydraulic elevator at the louvre in paris is one of only a few in the world. looking like something from a sci-fi film, the open-topped lift quietly and smoothly rises from the floor at the press of a button.
when it reaches the top, a walkway slides out and the doors open.
it probably cost an absolute fortune but who cares? it looks the business.
regardez…
hammetschwand elevator
the hammetschwand elevator in switzerland has been the highest exterior elevator in europe since it’s construction 101 yrs ago and can climb the full 152 metres in less than a minute. at the top is an unobstructed view of lake lucerne and the alps. it may not be as high as the zhangjiajie elevator but as this doesn’t look half as sturdy i’d much rather make the ascent in china.
eiffel tower
due to the shape of the eiffel tower’s curved legs the addition of elevators was at first seen as too difficult a job by many engineers. nothing like it had been attempted. these days there are duo-lift elevators running up and down each of the four legs, one of those legs selfishly reserved for customers of the restaurant at the top of the tower.
the journey up, recorded on camera by a human…
taipei 101 elevator
travelling 89 floors to the top of the world’s tallest skyscraper at a speed of 60.6 kmh is pretty fucking impressive but what’s even more interesting is the fact that the ‘fastest elevator on earth’ is also the first ever to have an athmospheric pressure control system. without it the 37 second ride would be uncomfortable to say the least due to the quick changes in air pressure.
interesting fact - the taipei 101 is home to 61 elevators. the world trade center towers contained 208.
watch the speed below…
paternoster
the paternoster lift was first developed in 1884 and there are a few still being used today. the system consists of a continuous chain of cabins moving at a slow speed without stopping - when you reach your floor you ’simply’ step off the lift while it’s still moving. even if you miss your floor and get to the top of the chain the cabin will stay vertical and lift you over the top where you will start to descend on the other side.
an early paternoster design…
below is a clip of a surviving paternoster in action at the university of essex here in the uk. check out the textbook exit…
extras:
- “which floor sir?”…”um, the bog please.”
- the future of elevator control panels at the apple store, tokyo
- here’s arcade fire, one of the best bands in the world, playing ‘neon bible’ in an elevator
- part of a documentary about the elevator-based tower of terror ride
- for some reason this guy decided to film an elevator shaft mid-journey
sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
(thanks to dave)
