Because of the variety of buildings heights in different German towns and cities, both Magirus and Metz built turntable ladders in a wide range of lengths, ever since the introduction of the first ones in the 1890s right up to today. Historically they have ranged from 14 meters up to 45 meters, with the introduction of steel ladders in the early 1930s making it possible to exceed 24 meters.
Wheeled extension ladders ruled the roost in the nineteenth century, but were very rapidly supplanted by turntable designs, which were soon to be found in quite small towns unlike the UK, where wheeled ladders were frequently use into the 1980s and replaced by three section aluminum ground ladders instead of an increased number of turntables.
Wheeled extension ladders ruled the roost in the nineteenth century, but were very rapidly supplanted by turntable designs, which were soon to be found in quite small towns unlike the UK, where wheeled ladders were frequently use into the 1980s and replaced by three section aluminum ground ladders instead of an increased number of turntables.
Added by Rob Johnson on 18 April 2022.