11 shareable things I found about something that sparked curiosity

It's widely installed in buildings. Even in buildings with elevators, there are greater number of escalators than elevators. In wide enough buildings, the escalators come in pairs as opposed to elevators which can serve both directions by itself. Marketwatch estimates the global escalator market to 4314.5 million USD as of 2022.

Yes, modern versions can. A key controls the elevator's movement going up, down, or off. Older versions can't change directions.

They typically last 40-50 years, though multiple Internet sources say modernizing 20-25 years without specifying what modernizing constitutes. I wonder if the info was priming for sales though. Channeling Mitch Hedberg, I suggest that an antiquated escalator is either really Lindy or just disappointing stairway. Not enough to warrant a large makeover. The only consideration would be safety.

Obviously there are different types and brands of both. Comparing typical human-carrying means, escalators are set to move about 30-40 meters per minute whereas elevators are set to move 134-536 meters per minute. Even at the slower end it seems to move faster.

It made sense when I thought about running up the stairs in advance to press every floor's button to slow the elevators. I couldn't catch up to the elevator if I stood still on the escalator.

It was trademarked by Otis Elevator Company which led to other companies using words like Motorstair and Electric Stairway.

It was a novelty ride at Coney Island in 1890's. If they pay money to ride this staring at clouds must be like watching movies.

Things like this make me wonder what the future people would think and feel about how I currently relate to technology.

The Harrod department store in London introduced escalators in 1899. The shoppers were in such a state that by the time they arrived the top of the escalator, they were offered brandy to rejuvenate themselves.

I don't fully buy this story but it made me smile as I imagined British shoppers in white gloves nearly fainting as they do in Oscar Wilde novels... For riding escalators... It's as if they're flying up the floor. A whole new world, they say.

Who are the dominant manufacturers or providers of installing/services? Are there overlaps? Apparently it costs about $10,000 (USD) to clean a set of escalators. There would be some interesting dynamics that precluded the escalator manufactures into the servicing market.

Likewise, of the escalators as assets and also of the servicing that are required for them. My initial thought was the department of public transportation because many subway stations have multiple escalators. Now I am unsure.

I mean... anything?? The only thing I can think of is just new set of escalators. Elevators will necessarily have capacity limits. Short of wheels on every shoes could anything really replace escalators?

This is a part of a bigger curiosity I have of late. I recycle every week. Where do recycled materials go? What do "they" do with it? Who are "they"? And where?