What Are Witches’ Stairs? A Simple Explanation of This Strange Home Design

Witches’ stairs are a strange but interesting design feature that became popular on TikTok a couple of years ago. Even though they have an unusual history, their name doesn’t really have to do with superstition. Instead, these stairs are a clever design choice. When made and installed correctly, they can be both useful and nice to look at!

Witches’ Stairs aren’t what they Appear.

While the stories about witches’ stairs might sound more interesting, they actually have a very practical purpose. They are really useful in homes with little space, like attics, lofts, and tiny houses. Witches’ stairs are designed to save space while still allowing you to go from one floor to another. Architects often call them “alternate tread stairs.”

How Witches’ Stairs Function


Photo Credit: itsthatrealestatechick | TikTok

Witches’ stairs are designed to save space in two ways. First, each step is only half as wide as regular steps, and the steps are staggered. This makes the staircase narrower than a traditional one. These smaller stairs can also be used for extra storage, like for books or displaying items. According to Scott Schuttner, who wrote “Basic Stairbuilding,” the distance between the steps on one side of an alternating-tread stair is twice the height of the rise, which gives you more space on the steps and makes them safer.

Besides being practical, witches’ stairs meet building codes and safety standards in the U.S. A standard staircase is usually 3 feet wide, while a residential witches’ staircase is typically between 27 and 30 inches wide.

Real Origins


Photo Credit: itsthatrealestatechick | TikTok

In 1985, a businessman named J.M. Lapeyre created a metal version of witches’ stairs. He thought these stairs could be a safe alternative to ladders in commercial and warehouse settings, especially in tight spaces where ladders might not be safe. This design is also used on commercial ships and oil rigs, and it can be called ship stairs or ship ladders, in addition to witches’ stairs and alternate tread stairs.


Misconception


Photo Credit: itsthatrealestatechick | TikTok

When videos of witches’ stairs first appeared on TikTok in 2021, they were linked to an urban legend. According to this legend, these staircases were built in 17th-century Massachusetts to keep witches away during the Salem witch trials because “witches can’t climb up them.” This idea has been proven false, but another rumor suggests that Thomas Jefferson came up with the design. Because of this, witches’ stairs are sometimes called Jeffersonian or Jefferson stairs. However, an original version of the design was also mentioned in a book called “Monckton’s One Plane Method Of Hand Railing and Stair Building,” published in 1888.

Debunking the Myth


Photo Credit: conspiracy___time | TikTok

The exact origins of witches’ stairs are a bit unclear, but one thing is clear: there’s no historical evidence that they were designed to keep witches away. Historian Robin Briggs has studied many historical sources and found no mention of stairs that could disable witches. Interestingly, some people with these unique staircases also buried “witch bottles” or included dead cats in their homes for protection against witchcraft, but Briggs calls this idea “pure disinformation.” He notes that the closest belief was that putting a broom over the door would trap a witch inside.

While it’s fun to think about myths and legends, it’s also interesting to know the real history of witches’ stairs. Regardless, they offer a unique and decorative alternative to regular staircases, adding a fun and quirky touch to home design.

A father sparks an online debate after rocking his daughter’s head for 45 minutes to help her sleep during a flight

These days, it’s not unusual to see people debating various topics on the internet.

It could be argued that it was unavoidable, as gathering millions of people in one location and allowing them the liberty to voice any opinion, no matter how diametrically opposed, would inevitably lead to spirited discussions.

Although contentious images and films are becoming commonplace on the internet, that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth seeing when they occur. We have discussed a lot of these subjects here at Newsner in the past. We thought it would be worthwhile to share the image of a father and his sleeping daughter on an airplane that had garnered a lot of comments.

The argument started when Reddit user u/therra123 posted a picture of a father and daughter cuddling on the r/MadeMeSmile discussion thread.

An image of a girl curled up in her aisle seat on a flight was submitted by the user. Her father had put his palm under her cheek, preventing her from resting her head on the armrest, which, as anyone who has ever used one will tell you, is a rather crude and merciless pillow.

“This man held his hand in this position for 45 minutes so his daughter could sleep well,” says the caption for the image on Reddit.

We have to say at this point that, in our judgment, this is just a father going about his business. Although the message was appropriately dubbed “heartwarming moments,” some Redditors didn’t agree.

The father was harshly criticized for his behavior; some people just said that he should have done a better job.

With thousands of comments and almost 60,000 votes, the post became viral immediately. Reactions included things like:

“I think there must be a better way to handle this.”

“Don’t you have your blanket?” said another. Bringing a blanket is the most crucial item to remember.

“This demonstrates a clear lack of creativity in problem-solving,” said a third person. forty-five minutes and you were unable to come up with a workable answer. Hey!

A fourth person wrote, “Seriously. Simply roll up a hoodie to create an instant pillow. Alternatively, here’s an absurd suggestion: ask a flight attendant for a cushion and blanket.

However, other people showed the father and his gesture more tolerance. Interestingly, we also find ourselves in this category!

How about you? Did you find it inappropriate that the father used this flight to serve as his daughter’s makeshift pillow? Let us know how you feel by leaving a comment.

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