More Stair Building

EBEBRATT-Ed

After reading "My basement Stairs are Dancing" from Mike T.
it reminded me of once visiting the old Springfield Armory Gun Museam in Springfield Ma.

Years ago I lugged a vacuum pump and reclaimer up and down the 4 or 5 flights of stairs several times to service the Ac system. I had plenty of time to look at the floor boards.

This building built in the 1740s?? has a wide spiral staircase 4 or 5 floors high (cant remember)and about 5 feet across.

Every floor board on these stairs is ripped on a taper wider at the wall and narrow at the center of the open staircase. It must be 12-15 feet between floors so there is a zillion floor boards.

Remember electricity had not been invented yet-no tablesaw or radial arm saw, or chopsaw. Just blood sweat and tears. TALK ABOUT WORK-THE REAL DEAD MEN. Every board fits perfectly.

I was told that engineers today cannot figure out what holds this staircase up-but it is as solid as a rock.

Ed