The escalator: Cologne's innovative step into modern life!

The escalator: Cologne's innovative step into modern life!

The escalator, an everyday means of transportation in urban centers, has a fascinating history that dates back to 1925. At that time, Germany's first escalator was installed in the Tietz department store in Cologne, which caused a huge sensation. As the World reported, similar installations followed in department stores in Berlin and Munich in the same year. While happy shoppers floated up the innovative steps, a lift boy in Berlin was given the task of helping people use them.

The escalator quickly became a symbol of the urban lifestyle of the 1920s. It made it possible to move around without much effort - so you could easily change floors with a single step. However, the first escalator was not a German invention: it was patented by Jesse W. Reno in the USA at the end of the 19th century and was first used in Coney Island, New York. The idea quickly spread worldwide as an ideal means of controlling large crowds.

A modern symbol of accessibility

Escalators are not only part of shopping centers or train stations, but also fulfill social functions in various regions of the world. An impressive example of this can be found in Medellín, Colombia. There, in 2011, a series of escalators were installed in Comuna 13, a previously violent neighborhood, to ease access to the neighborhood and reduce crime. The Plough reports that the neighborhood was formerly controlled by armed groups and was the scene of violent clashes during Operation Orion in 2002. The transformation of the district, particularly with the introduction of escalators, has made Medellín's image more positive both locally and internationally.

With the inauguration of the escalators on December 25, 2011, interest in the district skyrocketed. In 2018, the attraction attracted around 170,000 tourists, with around 70 percent coming from outside Colombia. This not only illustrates the tourism value, but also demonstrates the city's initiative to provide greater access to normally neglected areas.

Escalators: A mirror of society

Meanwhile, the spread of escalators in Germany continues unabated. According to the Association of German Mechanical and Plant Engineering (VDMA), there are around 39,000 escalators in this country, which are officially referred to as “escalators”. After the Second World War they became a symbol of the economic miracle. Interestingly, cultural scientists have divided escalator riding into three stages: entering, transiting and exiting. This highlights the everyday use and behavior of people on these facilities.

The current rule of “stand on the right, walk on the left” ensures that commuter flows flow efficiently. But children and young people in particular sometimes try to break these rules with a playful violation by running against the direction of travel.

In other metropolises such as London and Moscow there are particularly long and faster escalators due to the low-lying subway stations. Here, too, escalators are an essential part of the urban infrastructure.

The developments and cultural significance of escalators show that they are much more than just mechanical mobility aids. They are part of our urban life and reflect the changes and challenges that societies face - from Cologne to Medellín.