Why does an escalator handrail move faster than the stairs?

The surprising science of escalators. Sponsored by Brilliant - check out https://brilliant.org/veritasium to start learning for free.
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A huge thanks to the team at OTIS, especially Ed Jacovino, Gregory Sefcik and Dirk Winkelhake, for their time and expertise.

Thank you also to Professor Gero Gschwendtner, Professor Michael Fu, and Dr. Peter Kauffmann for all their help on the project.

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0:00 When escalators go wrong
2:43 The first escalator
5:01 How does an escalator work?
8:35 Why do escalators have grooves?
10:05 Why do escalators have brushes?
10:21 The hand rail moves faster than the steps
12:05 You generate electricity on escalators
14:09 How does an escalator break?
18:47 How safe are escalators really?

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References: https://ve42.co/EscalatorRefs
Images & Video: https://ve42.co/EscalatorImgRefs

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Special thanks to our Patreon supporters:
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Writers - Darius Garewal, Casper Mebius & Derek Muller
Presenters - Derek Muller & Latif Nasser
Producer & Director - Darius Garewal
Editor - Spencer Wright
Camera Operators - Derek Muller, Darius Garewal & Gregory Sefcik
Animators - Mike Radjabov, Fabio Albertelli, Saif Javed, Andrew Neet & Rokas Viksraitis
Illustrators - Jakub Misiek & Nataly Zhuk
Additional Editors - James Stuart, James Horsley, Peter Nelson & Kyle Rossiter
Researchers - HyoJeong Choi, Callum Cuttle & Gabe Strong
Thumbnail Designers - Ren Hurley, Ben Powell & Abdallah Rabah
Production Team - Nicola Griffiths, Josh Pitt, Rob Beasley Spence & Casper Mebius
Executive Producers - Casper Mebius & Derek Muller

Additional video/photos supplied by Getty Images, Pond5 & StoryBlocks
Music from Epidemic Sound

Post from Veritasium on September 11, 2025

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