A penal treadmill (penal treadwheel or everlasting staircase) was a treadwheel or treadmill with steps set into two cast iron wheels. These drove a shaft that could be used to mill corn, pump water, or connect to a large fan for resistance.
A penal treadmill (penal treadwheel or everlasting staircase) was a treadwheel or treadmill with steps set into two cast iron wheels. These drove a shaft that could be used to mill corn, pump water, or connect to a large fan for resistance.
God damn, that looks terrible. It’s not just a treadmill, it’s basically a stairlift that prisoners and slaves were forced to use. And anyone who’s used a stairlift knows how brutal of a workout they are.