Rigid ladders are available in many forms
The idea that it is unlucky to walk under a Household ladder is one of the most widely known and practised superstitions of modern times, being by far the most often mentioned in replies to our 1998/9 Superstitions Survey. In most cases now it is simply said to be ‘unlucky’, but in previous times to walk under a ladder might result in you never marrying, or dying on the gallows. The first known reference to this belief is little more than 200 years old, in Grose's Provincial Glossary (1787:63).
For those unfortunate enough to have walked under a ladder, a number of traditional remedies are prescribed—spit through the ladder, spit over your left shoulder, or keep your fingers crossed till you see a dog, do not speak till you see a four-legged animal, make the sign of the cross, and so on. There have also been a number of attempts to explain the belief: the Devil lurked under the ladder at the Crucifixion, the ladder/wall/floor make a triangle which is symbolical of the Trinity, and the ladder stands for the gallows. Needless to say, none of these has a shred of evidence to support them. Unlike many superstitions, however, this one does have a pragmatic element, and many argue that their avoidance is ruled merely by considerations of safety and common sense.
A ladder is a vertical or inclined set of rungs or steps. There are two types: rigid ladders that can be leaned against a vertical surface such as a wall, and rope ladders that are hung from the top. The vertical members of a rigid ladder are called stringers (US) or stiles (UK). Rigid ladders are usually portable, but some types are permanently fixed to buildings.
Rigid ladders are available in many forms, such as:
* Fixed ladder, Two side members joined by several rungs; affixed to structure with no moving parts
* Extension ladder or Telescopic ladder, fixed ladder divided into two or more lengths for more convenient storage; the lengths can be slid together for storage or slid apart to maximize the length of the ladder; a pulley system may be fitted so that the ladder can be easily extended by an operator on the ground then locked in place using the dogs and pawls
* Aluminum step ladder , hinged in the middle to form an inverted V, with stays to keep the two halves at a fixed angle
* Folding ladder, A ladder in the step ladder style with one or more (usually no more than three) one-way hinges. Ideal for use on uneven ground (i.e. stairs), as a trestle or when fully extended a Fixed ladder. Some variations feature a central one-way hinge with extensible locking legs
* Household step ladders , step ladder with small horizontal platform at the top
* Orchard ladder, three legged step ladder with third leg made so that it can be inserted between tree branches for fruit picking
* Roof ladder, rigid ladder with large hook at the top to grip the ridge of a pitched roof
* Cat ladder (US chicken ladder), lightweight ladder frame used on steep roofs to prevents workers from sliding
* Hook ladder or pompier ladder, rigid ladder with a hook at the top to grip a windowsill; used by firefighters
* Turntable ladder, extension ladder fitted to rotating platform on top of a fire truck
* Bridge ladder, ladder laid horizontally to act as passage between two points separated by a drop.
* Vertically rising ladder, a ladder designed to climb high points and facilitate suspending there.
Rigid ladders were originally made of wood,but in the 20th century tubular aluminum became more common because of its lighter weight. FRP ladder is used for working on or near overhead electrical wires, because fiberglass is an electrical insulator.
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