As of 2013, the state of Wyoming is thought to have two escalators in the entire state, both of which are located in the city of Casper. In comparison, the entire United States has around 35,000 escalators, according to 2013 figures from the National Elevator Industry. Each Wyoming escalator is located in a Casper bank location, whereas escalators tend to typically be found in airports and shopping centers. It is thought that perhaps the reason Wyoming doesn’t have more escalators is because many buildings are older and not equipped to hold them according to more current building safety codes. South Dakota is another state with a limited number of escalators, or an estimated six sets in 2013.
More about escalators:
- The average US escalator is estimated to transport 3,000 people per hour each day.
- An escalator can travel up to 2 feet (0.6 m) each second and can transport around 450 people.
- The first escalator used for retail purposes was created by Jesse Reno and was installed in 1898, at a Bloomingdale's Department Store in New York City.