In the basement of a department store in Kawasaki, Japan, lies a unique object – the smallest escalator in the world.
The unusual device is known as the Petitcalator or Puchicalator.
The escalator has only 5 steps, and its length does not even reach a meter - it is 83.4 centimeters.
Since the invention offers no real advantage over those using traditional steps, it is more of a tourist attraction.
Why was it created at all?
In fact, no one has ever tried to set another record in this way.
Everything is much simpler - the reason for the appearance of the smallest attraction was a simple miscalculation.
The thing is that when the department store opened its doors to visitors in 1989, the designers wanted to connect its underground level with the underground level of the neighboring shopping center.
But because they were not perfectly aligned, it was decided to implement the plan with a regular staircase and a small escalator.
The only thing the designers didn't take into account was that there was a huge concrete beam in place of the escalator motor.
Instead of abandoning the idea, a smaller version of the escalator that became the hero of this story was made.
Only a few years ago the escalator was converted from descending to ascending, thus making it a little more useful.
