Secrets of an Escalator
By DB
@dgobucks226 (34445)
May 16, 2019 5:02pm CST
Do you know why an escalator has vertical grooves in each stepping stair? No it's not for aesthetic appeal they actually serve a very useful purpose!
As an escalator’s steps flatten at each top or bottom exit, its comb plate, identified by a the yellow lined lip, protects you during your transition on and off which you may be already aware of. But were you aware those steps also sweep away any trash that might have fallen on the stairs?
That's right, the grooves lock the step and comb plate together which makes it harder for any hazardous materials to slide underneath the lip. Those grooves within the steps serve another useful purpose too. They collect any spilled liquids allowing them to fall inside the notches protecting you from slipping and falling. So next time you see a child spill their drink on an escalator no reason to panic, those stairs have you covered, lol. 
So, did you know all the mysteries behind those escalator stairs?
Source- Reader's Digest
Photo- YouTube.com
So, did you know all the mysteries behind those escalator stairs?
Source- Reader's Digest
Photo- YouTube.com18 people like this
18 responses
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
16 May 19
I never really paid attention. I'll have a closer look the next time that I'm on an escalator.
5 people like this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
19 May 19
@dgobucks226 Interesting! On Friday as I rode the escalator I took a closer look and marveled at the ingenuity. 
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34445)
•
19 May 19
Yes who knew it served so many protective functions. I thought the notches to collect spilled drinks showed real ingenuity.
1 person likes this
It is a great invention 
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
17 May 19
It's all up and down to me.
4 people like this
@snowy22315 (170708)
• United States
16 May 19
Well I am going to count this as the something new I learned today!!
3 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34445)
•
19 May 19
It is always fun to learn just why things work the way they do. I find it interesting to learn about stuff we use.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
16 May 19
No. I have never really thought about them.
3 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34445)
•
19 May 19
My pleasure! It is always fun to learn just why things work the way they do.
@dgobucks226 (34445)
•
19 May 19
Readers digest has some really interesting stuff. I find a lot of good post material online from that source.
And btw, now you have an answer as to why escalators look the way they do...
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203451)
• Nashville, Tennessee
19 May 19
@dgobucks226 Yes I remember my Dad always had them and I read most of the issues.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34445)
•
21 May 19
@CarolDM As a kid I remember seeing them in the Dentist's office. They always had interesting topics to read about.
@May2k8 (18099)
• Indonesia
21 May 19
@dgobucks226 When I was a child I enjoyed playing up and down in the escalator.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34445)
•
19 May 19
I found the workings of an escalator interesting too. Glad you enjoyed my post!
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104632)
• United States
21 May 19
I did not. However, I always step broadly across the threshold at the bottom. I do not like to think my pants will get stuck, even if they never will. I blame my sister who used to tell me (when we were kids) that I could get sucked in!
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104632)
• United States
24 May 19
@dgobucks226 Exactly, you just never know!
Plus, I feel like I would trip if I navigated it any other way.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34445)
•
24 May 19
Oh my goodness! I step up over the plate too for the same reason. Why take any chances
@LadyDuck (459597)
• Switzerland
19 May 19
@dgobucks226 The first wooden escalator in the London Tube (subway) was installed in 1911. You also had wooden escalator in the States, those of Macy's in New York, built in the early 1930.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34445)
•
19 May 19
No never seen wooden ones. Now that is equally interesting
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34445)
•
21 May 19
@LadyDuck Wow! Those are some interesting facts. Thanks for the history lesson, love it!
1 person likes this
@xander6464 (40915)
• Wapello, Iowa
17 May 19
Cool. I like learning little things like that.
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34445)
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19 May 19
Yes, kind of like "advanced trivia." It is always fun to learn just why things work the way they do.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34445)
•
19 May 19
Ah, mystery solved! Glad I could bring a little knowledge your way
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40246)
• United States
17 May 19
Ah I hate escalators. Always thinks they're going to chop my legs off. ha.
At least it's good to know why the lines are there
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40246)
• United States
19 May 19
@dgobucks226 cool! Lol! I think it's safest to hop the plate, too
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34445)
•
19 May 19
Ya know, I always thought the same. When I approached the end I would hop over that plate just in case
1 person likes this
@ShifaLk (17817)
• India
19 May 19
@dgobucks226 hehe yeah... An automated system for sure? What say??
Let's search about that too
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34445)
•
19 May 19
Thank you. Now I wondered about that too. And just how do they dispose of it exactly? Another mystery for sure 
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
17 May 19
Thank you for teaching me something new. =) That's neat.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34445)
•
19 May 19
Sure thing! It was a neat learning lesson about things we have use and why they build them the way they do.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34445)
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19 May 19
I always enjoy learning something new. Especially something unusual like that. Escalator mystery solved
@dgobucks226 (34445)
•
19 May 19
Definitely a cool bit of trivia about something we use! Thanks for reading
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34445)
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19 May 19
Most indoor department stores utilize them here for stores with multiple levels. Good to know they come with safety features.
1 person likes this
