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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
She is the TV personality who had more than 700 guys for sex.
Australian reality TV star Belinda Love Rygier says she had over 700 sex encounters and that her addiction to sex “ruled her life.”
She explained how she managed to overcome her addiction and lead a normal life.
Belinda “Love” Rygier, who made her television debut in the 2017 season of The Bachelor Australia, revealed that she has been single for 15 months and is a client of a recovery center.
The 38-year-old woman disclosed that her only purpose for going out six nights a week was to meet new sex partners.
When her addiction was at its worst, dating apps weren’t as publicly accessible, the Australian personality admitted.
Words from a Past Sexual Addict
When approached to speak on a radio program, Belinda said she “didn’t realize she had a problem until she healed from it,” according to Mirror.
The woman said, “After I recovered, I was positive that an unresolved trauma from my past caused my sex addiction.”
Despite the fact that her sex addiction had taken over her life, the woman maintains she was a “functional addict,” leading a wonderful life that functioned well and kept her secrets hidden.
The TV personality asserts that she has “lost count” of the number of men she has had sexual relations with over the years, but she is certain that the tally exceeds “seven hundred.”
She did, however, declare that she is “not ashamed” of the number of sexual partners she has had and that she still has a “high sexual desire.”
“The woman expressed that her desire was to feel beautiful, validated, and loved; men were great at providing me with the information I wanted to hear.”
Why is she not having sex right now?
Belinda said, “Sex is used for the wrong reason—quick or fleeting validation from others. Society has declined.”
She admitted that in the past, engaging in sexual activity required a strong emotional connection. “I’ll have sex again, but with someone I truly connect with this time.”
With thousands of fans, the TV star has become a social media “love guru,” routinely appearing on shows to impart life lessons to her audience.
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