In 1884, Londoner J.E. Hall developed the first paternoster. It was driven by a steam engine and called "J.E. Hall's Cyclic Elevator." The newspaper described the system as having, "an endless chain of cabins moving at a moderate speed; some passing downward past a line of entrances and other cages moving upward past another set of openings. Passengers may embark or alight at any floor whenever they please, without delay. The rates at which the cages move renders the getting on or off a matter of no difficulty whatever. One very special feature about the cyclic lift is that, by an ingenious mechanical arrangement, the cages pass to the extreme height of the lift and then descend without losing their vertical position, so that in case a passenger omits by inadvertence, or otherwise, to get out at the intended place, he is in no sort of danger. A small, horizontal engine drives these elevators by friction and spur gearing, a comparatively small amount of power being required, as the cages counterbalance each other, and all descending traffic of course assists the engine. There is also a special combination of governor and brake, which effectually prevents the possibility of the lift racing. This might otherwise occur if heavily laden on its descending side. The floors of all cages are proided with flaps, as also are the landings on the ascending side, thus preventing any possible accident from anything projecting from a cage. Several of these elevators have been erected by Messrs. J.E. Hall, and are at present time working at the Kensington Palace Mansions; at Glasgow Herald Office, Glasgow; at Mansion House in Chambers; in the Bourse Buildings in Bucklersbury; and other places in the city of London. At the two latter addresses, they are daily at work in the ordinary course of business. One in Size Lane undoubtedly carries more people daily than any other lift in London, the average number of passengers from the bottom to the top floors being about 2000 per diem, exclusive of those entering at the intermediate floors. The offices in the top floor were let, we are told, as readily as the bottom floors, and a restaurant on the fourth floor apparently does a good trade. Lavatory accomodation for the entire building is also on the fourth floor, thus effectually preventing any annoyance from objectionable odours arising therefrom, without any reduction of convenience. In watching the elevator at work, we have seen ladies and elderly gentlemen avail themselves of it without hesitation."

(Graphic Source: Der Fahrstuhl)

Stigler paternoster in Vienna. Note the hand holds on the cabins and entrances to assist in swift, safe passenger transfer.

(Graphic Source: Stigler)

These photos were taken of old paternosters in Budapest that were modernized in the mid-1950's. Little was changed in the hidden mechanical drives. Photo 1 of upper machinery shows the track around which the cabins move in an endless cycle. Photo 2 of the lower machinery includes a large screw used to maintain tension between the upper and lower track sheaves. One of the cards can be seen making the turn at the bottom. Two pair of paternosters were modernized and refinished. All are provided with baffle plates between cars to prevent a fall into an open hoistway. Handholds are easily accessible and one young lady in Photo 5 is shown pulling a safety handle, much like the cord on a train, to stop the machinery. A person or object caught in the opening will exert pressure on the safety edges at the front of the car floor and the car top and stop the relatively slow moving line of cabins.