Trivia
HardAt The Top Of The First Escalator Installed In London, An Attendant Would Offer Shoppers?
Answer: Brandy
The last time that you rode an escalator, you probably didn’t think much at all of the experience except maybe, “I’m glad I don’t have to walk up all these steps.” or, if you’re the more morbid type, “I wonder how many people get killed by escalators every year.”—but most likely, the whole experience passed without any thrilling feelings, existential dread, or a racing heart.
The same can’t be said, however, for the first shoppers to use an escalator in England. Escalators, in various forms, were invented by various people in the late 19th century. In November 1898, French manufacturer Piat installed the first escalator in the United Kingdom at the Harrods store in Knightsbridge. The experience was, apparently, so exhilarating and disorienting to customers that Harrods employed an attendant at the top of the stairs who was equipped with smelling salts and glasses of brandy to help wild-eyed patrons regain their bearings and composure.
We don’t know about you, but we think a visit to the mall would be a much more pleasant affair if every time we trudged to the escalator and ascended, we were rewarded with a nip of brandy.
Trivia
HardThe Oldest Genetic Proof Of Malaria Was Found In A?
Trivia
EasyWhich Country Is The Largest Beef Exporter?
Trivia
EasyWhich Of These Rock Bands Is Named After An English Agriculturalist?
Trivia
HardThe Existence Of Which Of These Star Types Is Only, At Present, Hypothetical?
Trivia
HardThe Only Location In The United States That Still Receives Mail Via Mule Delivery Is In?
Trivia
HardThe “Ye” In Archaic Names Like “Ye Olde Shoppe” Is Derived From A Middle English Symbol Called A?
Trivia
HardScientists Can Reconstruct The Path Lewis and Clark Followed By Searching For?
Trivia
Very HardThe Last Surviving Member Of A Species Is Known As?
Trivia
HardThe First Station In The U.S. To Broadcast Digital TV Was Located In?
Trivia
EasyHollywood Clapper Boards Serve What Primary Purpose?