What were ladders used for in the past?

Ladders have been used for centuries not only for construction or fruit picking, but also for many purposes that have become irrelevant today due to the development of technology.

1. Siege of fortresses and castles

In the Middle Ages, assault ladders were one of the main tools of the army. With their help, soldiers climbed the fortress walls during a siege.

Why are they not used now?

Modern military equipment, aviation, armored vehicles and special engineering equipment have completely replaced such methods.

2. Extinguishing fires in cities

Before the advent of fire trucks, firefighters used long wooden ladders that were carried manually to the scene of the fire.

Why are they not used now?

They have been replaced by ladder trucks, lifts and special rescue equipment.

3. Access to city walls and watchtowers

Guards of cities, castles and fortresses often used portable ladders to climb the tower to patrol the territory and change the guard.

Why are they not used now?

Most of these structures have lost their defensive value or are equipped with stationary ladders.

4. Collecting wild bee honey

In many countries, beekeepers used special ladders to climb tall trees where there were natural bee nests.

Why are they not used now?

Frame beekeeping with hives located on the ground prevails.

5. Street lighting with gas and kerosene lanterns

Lantern keepers carried a ladder every evening to light the lanterns and extinguish them in the morning.

Why are they not used now?

Electric lighting and automatic control systems have made the profession of a lantern maker almost extinct.

6. Chimney sweeps work

To clean chimneys, chimney sweeps carried ladders from house to house.

Why are they not used now?

There are fewer chimneys, and modern equipment and access systems are used for maintenance.

7. Access to large library shelves

In ancient libraries, tall mobile ladders were used to access books on the upper shelves.

Why are they used much less often?

Part of the collections has been digitized, and modern storage systems have a different access format.

On our website Virastar you will find many ladders that are used to perform modern works:

• Laying Internet cables;
• Replacing advertising banners;
• Installing artificial rocks on climbing walls.

Call us to get advice on which ladders are better to buy for a particular job.

We also suggest reading the blog "Two-section or three-section ladder - which one to choose?".