Last Updated on 2022-10-06 , 9:58 pm
Given how Singapore is a bustling metropolis filled with skyscrapers and HDB blocks, lifts are essentially an important part of our lives.
When we get back to our HDB block, we’ll use the lift to get to our floor. If we’re working in an office building, we’ll use the lift to bring us up to our workplace. Even when you’re at the shopping mall, chances are you’ll use the lift if you’re in a rush to certain places, i.e. cinema, food court, etc.
What do you do when you’re waiting for the lift to arrive at the desired level? You’ll look at your phone, stare into nothing or look into the mirror and touch up on your make up (for ladies) or hairstyle (for both), right?
Why do you think that almost every lift (at least the newer ones) have a mirror within the lift? This is a question that almost none of us every thought about, I mean, it’s there so we use it.
But really, when you decide to dig into it for a bit, the answer you get might not be what you’re expecting.
Contrary to popular beliefs, the mirrors placed within lifts are not placed there for you to check out your reflection, nor is it for you to have something to do while waiting for your lift to reach its destination.
Some have speculated that the mirrors might be placed there to ensure that passengers won’t complain about how long the trip is taking.
Do you think the same way? Others have guessed that because the lift is an enclosed box, the mirrors actually help to give the optical illusion of the lift being larger than it is, which helps some people who have claustrophobia to deal with their journey within the box.
That is yet another benefit of having a mirror in the box, but it’s more of a bonus than anything else.
A writer in our office told us that the purpose of having mirrors within the elevator is to allow you to see what the other parties in the same elevator are doing. If they are planning to assault or rob you, you will at least have forewarning and a short amount of time to prepare yourself accordingly.
All speculations above seems legit, but no, that’s not why mirrors are placed within lifts.
There’s a much more unexpected reason (at least to us) behind having mirrors within elevators. It might not be as dramatic as preparing the victim to be robbed, but the real reason is unexpectedly legit as well.
The practice of placing mirrors within elevators first came from Japan, and according to Japan Elevator Association, it is a regulation for all elevators to be outfitted with a mirror within.
And the reason for doing so? To help wheel-chair bound people move in and out of the lift easily.
Because an elevator might not be big enough for wheelchairs to turn around, the wheelchair bound might have to reverse their wheelchair out of the lift.
With mirrors within the elevator to show them where they’re going, they’ll have an easier time getting out of the elevator, instead of having to crane their head around and attempt to move their wheelchairs (which usually barely fits through the elevator doors) out of the elevator.
So there you have it – the real reason why there are mirrors in the lift. Did you find the reason as unexpected as we did?
Featured Image: ArtOfPhotos / Shutterstock.com
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