# Tell us an interesting random fact you stumbled across (Part 2) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 25, 2024, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785 "2024-07-25T15:06:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 147
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2025, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/2921 "2025-08-05T18:40:23Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > There are not that many multi-story buildings in the state I can attest that there are quite a few multi-story buildings in Wyoming. Small towns often have impressive modern hotels of significant size. However, hotels almost never have escalators. You find escalators primarily in places like shopping malls. The hotels mostly have elevators, which are also more common in office buildings and hospitals. Wyoming has a strong tourist economy, and its Western-style tourist areas go for quaint/rustic styles, for which escalators are inappropriate. So, yeah, I am believing it. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2025, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/2922 "2025-08-05T18:41:18Z")
Any multistory building in WY would have elevators. Escalators are typically in two story malls or airports in my maybe limited experience. The airports are small and other than the two with escalators, the malls are too. Space isn’t at a premium there so you can just build out instead of up if you need more space. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2025, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/2923 "2025-08-05T18:43:41Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > The airports are small and other than the two with escalators, the malls are too. Both sets of escalators are located in bank buildings. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2025, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/2924 "2025-08-05T18:45:55Z")
Oops. Thanks for the correction. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2025, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/2925 "2025-08-05T18:49:08Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Wyoming has a strong tourist economy, and its Western-style tourist areas go for quaint/rustic styles, for which escalators are inappropriate. Although [wooden escalators](https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/macys-wooden-escalators) are a thing [![](https://img.atlasobscura.com/9DnEeQvwcPwTxznE4xw_V9FDP3OJHyp4eLG6oL6bjK0/rt:fit/h:400/q:81/sm:1/scp:1/ar:1/aHR0cHM6Ly9hdGxh/cy1kZXYuczMuYW1h/em9uYXdzLmNvbS91/cGxvYWRzL3BsYWNl/X2ltYWdlcy84MmVl/NjZkNDMwMjA0Mjc3/ZjBfT2xkRXNjYWxh/dG9yLmpwZw.webp) ](https://img.atlasobscura.com/9DnEeQvwcPwTxznE4xw_V9FDP3OJHyp4eLG6oL6bjK0/rt:fit/h:400/q:81/sm:1/scp:1/ar:1/aHR0cHM6Ly9hdGxh/cy1kZXYuczMuYW1h/em9uYXdzLmNvbS91/cGxvYWRzL3BsYWNl/X2ltYWdlcy84MmVl/NjZkNDMwMjA0Mjc3/ZjBfT2xkRXNjYWxh/dG9yLmpwZw.webp) Now, a mandatory adobe escalator in Santa Fe would be a real challenge ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2025, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/2926 "2025-08-05T18:51:10Z")
A dangerous, dangerous thing. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2025, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/2927 "2025-08-05T18:53:45Z")
I’d still take a cardboard escalator before a [paternoster elevator!](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Rvvbn7O1nus) ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2025, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/2928 "2025-08-05T18:57:05Z")
I was referring to this: [King's Cross fire - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King%27s_Cross_fire) ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2025, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/2929 "2025-08-05T18:58:35Z")
When I was a lad, I got on the escalator at the Lloyd Center Woolworths and, upon ceaching the top, it commenced to eat the toe of one of my brand new shoes. My good fortune lay in the great width of my feet, which usually forces me to get shoes that are two to three sizes too large, so my flesh toes were never really in any danger. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2025, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/2930 "2025-08-05T19:04:10Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > Although [wooden escalators](https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/macys-wooden-escalators) are a thing They used to have wooden escalators at the Harvard Square stop on the Red Line in Boston, before they undertook a major renovation and rebuilt the whole thing from the underground up. > **[Reddit - The heart of the internet](https://www.reddit.com/r/boston/comments/43ej86/who_remembers_the_old_mbta_deathscalators_just/)** ---
**Author:** ![CoolHandCox](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coolhandcox/32/16233_2.png) [@CoolHandCox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoolHandCox)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2025, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/2931 "2025-08-05T19:53:18Z")
It’s true, but it’s just hard for me to accept. That’s the best way to put it. I googled, AI, told AI it was full of shit, AI doubled down, and read a very legit story in The Atlantic - it’s true. And still…it doesn’t _feel_ possible to essentially not have escalators. Not even the airports which was my failsafe for thinking it was BS. But I guess they are just not necessary. re: **wooden escalators**. I think the Macy’s in NYC still has wooden escalators; or they did about a decade ago when I rode them. It was neat but essentially no different. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2025, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/2932 "2025-08-05T19:59:01Z")
> [@CoolHandCox](#): > > re: **wooden escalators**. I think the Macy’s in NYC still has wooden escalators; or they did about a decade ago when I rode them. It was neat but essentially no different. They are big fire hazard I understand, the combination of grease and wood makes them a disaster waiting to happen. There’s one in the Buenos Aires metro, I don’t remember the station right now, it shouldn’t be there because they are forbidden by law but… 🤷‍♂️ ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2025, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/2933 "2025-08-05T21:03:45Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > They used to have wooden escalators at the Harvard Square stop on the Red Line in Boston, Yeah, subways are the other big place where you see escalators, but again, not something you’d find in Wyoming. And the airports in Wyoming are all very small. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2025, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/2934 "2025-08-05T21:11:12Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > And the airports in Wyoming are all very small. Heh. The Cheyenne airport has two gates. And from its website: “There’s no need for escalators or people movers here” > **[Terminal | Cheyenne Regional Airport | Jerry Olson Field](https://www.cheyenneairport.com/terminal)** ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2025, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/2935 "2025-08-05T21:13:33Z")
I just learned that, as the crow (seagull, maybe?) flies, it’s about 660 miles from Tokyo, Japan, to Vladivostok, Russia. Not a great distance. ---
**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2025, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/2936 "2025-08-05T21:39:35Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > Heh. The Cheyenne airport has two gates. > > And from its website: “There’s no need for escalators or people movers here” Which is strange, because I just flew in and out of a small airport (Roanoke, VA) and they had small (maybe a dozen steps?) escalators because the terminal was raised so that air bridges could be used with the larger regional jets. I would think with the winter weather in Wyoming, they’d want to use airbridges as much as possible, but when I go to the airport site, the seem to load and unload passengers on the tarmac. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2025, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/2937 "2025-08-05T21:41:33Z")
There are three non-contiguous area codes in the US. The 706/762 overlay which mostly surround the Atlanta metro area area codes that themselves surround Atlanta proper. 386 in Florida which is kind of split by Jacksonville. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2025, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/2938 "2025-08-05T22:04:01Z")
I presume the Clock Punk wooden escalator in “Ella Enchanted” was built for the movie? https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/6988706838824946950 ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2025, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/2939 "2025-08-05T22:44:43Z")
That is what I wanted to refer to, but! **[paternoster elevator](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paternoster_lift)** they are so safe! There are several in Berlin, and I have ridden at least half of them. Cool things, they are. It takes some faith to go around the first time, but it works. When you do it once, you believe it works. Weird feeling, but worth a try. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2025, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/2940 "2025-08-05T23:40:23Z")
Macy’s in Herald Square in NYC has wooden escalators back in the 60s. They may have been replaced by now. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785.md?page=146) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785.md?page=148)