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From: Category: Art Date: 13 October 2006 Time: 08:44 PM Review: It's not physics, it's arithmetic being used in both geometry and economics. Economics answer:- One driveshaft makes the machinery simpler than have two shafts. Simpler machinery = less cost. Geometry answer:- To use one driveshaft. As the rail sits beyond the tread, the rail needs a larger gear to drive it. Larger gear = larger circumference means more distance covered in the same time i.e one revolution. Hence, greater speed. A second driveshaft can be added to run the bannister rail at the same speed but manufacturers and buyers of escalators, being cheapskates, will not pay the extra cost while an ignorant public does not know better.