Why is ‘paternoster lift’ trending on TikTok?
A LIFT at the University of Essex has gone viral for its very rare characteristics.
Here, we look at why so many people have taken notice of this elevator and how it works.
Why is ‘paternoster lift’ trending?
A paternoster lift at the University of Essex has attracted a lot of attention online after they included a video of it on their TikTok account.
The lift built in 1967, appears in videos where students demonstrate how it works.
The video is captioned: “Truth: Theyre actually not scary at all in real life, theyre actually pretty slow moving.”
The uni added: “This lift was installed in the 60s (we keep it as part of our history) and there is a regular lift installed just next to it.”
This includes a response video where a student demonstrates how you are able to get in and out of it.
Jonathan White, who is director of library and cultural services at the university, said he was very pleased with the large response.
She said: “To see videos of the lift go viral on TikTok is fantastic and shows how genuinely intrigued and fascinated people from across the world are by it.”
However many TikTokers claimed the lift was “scary”.
What is the paternoster lift?
A paternoster lift is a chain of open compartments that work in a loop.
The name of the system comes from its resemblance to rosary prayer beads and is Latin for Our Father, which is the first two words of The Lord’s Prayer.
The system doesn’t stop moving, and passengers can step on and off the elevator when they like.
One side goes up, the other side goes down.
If a person chose to stay in one of the compartments, they would go round in a loop and end up on the other side of the lift shaft.
This type of lift is rare nowadays, as the construction of new ones is banned in many countries.
The one at the University of Essex is one of only three left in operation in the UK.
The largest example of a paternoster lift in the UK is located at the University of Sheffield.
The arts tower in which the lift is housed is the largest university owned building in the UK.
The other example of this lift in Britain is at Northwick Park Hospital in London.
It was brought back into service during the Covid-19 pandemic and can only be accessed by staff.