| Author | Message | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 16432 Registered: 4-2010 |
A man lies dead at the bottom of an elevator shaft. How did he die? There are two solutions to this puzzle. Answers for Solution 1 will be answered in red, and Solution 2's in blue. Please specify which solution you're asking questions for. I will add that "man" = H-A-M, and both are true stories. | ||
| Ciaobella (Ciaobella)
New member Username: Ciaobella Post Number: 725 Registered: 8-2011 |
For both: did he fall down the elevator shaft? Is there another person involved? crime relevant? | ||
| Kayleetonkslupin (Kayleetonkslupin)
New member Username: Kayleetonkslupin Post Number: 5332 Registered: 9-2010 |
for both: does the elevator shaft actually have an elevator in it, or is it some sort of secret passage? also for both: LTPF lists of relevant centuries/decades & continents/countries please? (Although I'd assume it couldn't be pre-19th century, but then I should never assume these things...) | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 16435 Registered: 4-2010 |
For both: did he fall down the elevator shaft? No Yes Is there another person involved? No to both crime relevant? Yes No/Noish for both: does the elevator shaft actually have an elevator in it, or is it some sort of secret passage? Both actually contain an elevator also for both: LTPF lists of relevant centuries/decades & continents/countries please? (Although I'd assume it couldn't be pre-19th century, but then I should never assume these things...) 21st century, Czech Republic 21st century, South Korea | ||
| Ciaobella (Ciaobella)
New member Username: Ciaobella Post Number: 730 Registered: 8-2011 |
For both: Is the cause of death any of the following: -external trauma/ injury? -oxygen deprivation? -starvation? -disease/ natural causes? -exposure? -murder? If there is an overlap, please note. | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 16442 Registered: 4-2010 |
For both: Is the cause of death any of the following: -external trauma/ injury? Yes for #1. It has been established that #2 died from a fall down the shaft. So No to rest -oxygen deprivation? -starvation? -disease/ natural causes? Not unless "gravity" is a natural cause. (Bad joke, I know...) -exposure? -murder? If there is an overlap, please note. | ||
| Ciaobella (Ciaobella)
New member Username: Ciaobella Post Number: 737 Registered: 8-2011 |
For number one: Was the external injury caused before he ended up in the bottom of the shaft? Did he get squished by the elevator descending? Was the building demolished with him in it? For either: Was he pushed? (Not sure if that qualifies as a "fall" or not) | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 16448 Registered: 4-2010 |
For number one: Was the external injury caused before he ended up in the bottom of the shaft? No Did he get squished by the elevator descending? No but headed towards the right track Was the building demolished with him in it? No For either: Was he pushed? No (Not sure if that qualifies as a "fall" or not) It does, but neither was | ||
| Ciaobella (Ciaobella)
New member Username: Ciaobella Post Number: 741 Registered: 8-2011 |
For number one: Did something fall on him? an object? more than one object? another person? | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 16450 Registered: 4-2010 |
For number one: Did something fall on him? Yes an object? Yes more than one object? No another person? No | ||
| Ciaobella (Ciaobella)
New member Username: Ciaobella Post Number: 748 Registered: 8-2011 |
Was the object bigger than him? Did someone drop it on purpose? Did they hurt him on purpose? | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 16452 Registered: 4-2010 |
Was the object bigger than him? Yes Did someone drop it on purpose? No Did they hurt him on purpose? No | ||
| Ciaobella (Ciaobella)
New member Username: Ciaobella Post Number: 749 Registered: 8-2011 |
Did someone drop it at all? Did it simply fall somehow? Properties of the building (type, age, size, etc.) relevant? Did the building collapse? | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 16454 Registered: 4-2010 |
Did someone drop it at all? No, but... Did it simply fall somehow? Yes, but... Properties of the building (type, age, size, etc.) relevant? No Did the building collapse? No | ||
| Ciaobella (Ciaobella)
New member Username: Ciaobella Post Number: 752 Registered: 8-2011 |
Still on the red one: Did he get squished by the elevator somehow? | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 16456 Registered: 4-2010 |
Still on the red one: Did he get squished by the elevator somehow? No, but very OTRT | ||
| Ciaobella (Ciaobella)
New member Username: Ciaobella Post Number: 756 Registered: 8-2011 |
Red one again: Did he get squished by something that was in the elevator shaft? That fell in the elevator shaft? Something the size of an elevator cab? Was he on top of the elevator cab? | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 16462 Registered: 4-2010 |
Red one again: Did he get squished by something that was in the elevator shaft? Yes That fell in the elevator shaft? Yes Something the size of an elevator cab? No; it's smaller, but... Was he on top of the elevator cab? No | ||
| Ciaobella (Ciaobella)
New member Username: Ciaobella Post Number: 759 Registered: 8-2011 |
Red one again: Was the object very heavy? Did it kill him instantly when it fell? Relevant? Is it something that is usually in an elevator shaft? Something used to repair an elevator? Is his profession relevant? Had he committed a crime? | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 16464 Registered: 4-2010 |
Red one again: Was the object very heavy? Yes Did it kill him instantly when it fell? Yes Relevant? Its weight Yes, instant death No Is it something that is usually in an elevator shaft? No Something used to repair an elevator? No Is his profession relevant? See next Had he committed a crime? Yes! | ||
| Ciaobella (Ciaobella)
New member Username: Ciaobella Post Number: 765 Registered: 8-2011 |
Did the item that fell on him belong to him? Had he stolen it? Did he hide in the elevator? Did he pull the item(s) in after him and squish himself? | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 16468 Registered: 4-2010 |
Did the item that fell on him belong to him? No Had he stolen it? No, slight -ish Did he hide in the elevator? Noish Did he pull the item(s) in after him and squish himself? No | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 16469 Registered: 4-2010 |
OH DEAR MAJOR BLOOPER: Is it something that is usually in an elevator shaft? YES | ||
| Ciaobella (Ciaobella)
New member Username: Ciaobella Post Number: 770 Registered: 8-2011 |
In an elevator shaft, but not an elevator? One of the gears, perhaps? An elevator door? Is the crime he committed relevant? | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 16488 Registered: 4-2010 |
In an elevator shaft, but not an elevator? Yes One of the gears, perhaps? An elevator door? Neither Is the crime he committed relevant? Yes | ||
| Rbruma (Rbruma)
New member Username: Rbruma Post Number: 1969 Registered: 9-2009 |
For both: The elevator shaft was in a building? A vessel? A mine? Some other structure? Relevant? | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 16490 Registered: 4-2010 |
For both: The elevator shaft was in a building? Yes A vessel? A mine? Some other structure? Relevant? More for #2 than #1 | ||
| Ciaobella (Ciaobella)
New member Username: Ciaobella Post Number: 772 Registered: 8-2011 |
For number one- His crime: Theft? Violence? Murder? Rape? Jay-walking? | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 16494 Registered: 4-2010 |
For number one- His crime: Theft? This, although you might have a slight FA Violence? Murder? Rape? Jay-walking? | ||
| Ciaobella (Ciaobella)
New member Username: Ciaobella Post Number: 774 Registered: 8-2011 |
For number one: Mugging? Robbery of a residence? Robbery of a business? Did he steal a physical item? a concept/idea? Relevant how/why he fell to the bottom of the shaft? If so, was he running? hiding? Was the thing that fell related to the mechanics of the elevator actually going up and down? Lighting? Repair? Some part of the structure of the building itself? For both: Did the man open the elevator door normally? Did he intend to take the elevator up? Down? Did he realize that there was no cab in the shaft but somehow fell anyway? Or did he run in by mistake believing there to be a cab waiting for him? | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 16495 Registered: 4-2010 |
For number one: Mugging? Robbery of a residence? Robbery of a business? I think this, because it was a robbery of the building he was killed in (HINT), which I think was a business Did he steal a physical item? This a concept/idea? Relevant how/why he fell to the bottom of the shaft? FA If so, was he running? hiding? Neither Was the thing that fell related to the mechanics of the elevator actually going up and down? Yes Lighting? Repair? Some part of the structure of the building itself? No to rest, with a slight -ish for this For both: Did the man open the elevator door normally? Irrel/FA, NO!!! Did he intend to take the elevator up? He intended to take the elevator, but whether up or down is irrel Down? Neither Did he realize that there was no cab in the shaft but somehow fell anyway? FA, Yes...! Or did he run in by mistake believing there to be a cab waiting for him? FA, No, see prev | ||
| Biograd (Biograd)
New member Username: Biograd Post Number: 1972 Registered: 6-2008 |
For #1: Was he hit by the counterweight for the elevator (as the elevator itself was rising)? Did he enter the shaft in an attempt to escape someone/something? Did he enter it on the bottom floor, through the door for people getting on the elevator? Did he think it was an exit, rather than the elevator door? For #2: Did he force the door open somehow? by kicking it? prying it with, e.g. a crowbar? I'm assuming it was not open on its own, as the elevator was on another floor. Correct? Was the man just very frustrated at the elevator not coming to his floor? or was he drunk? or otherwise mentally impaired? | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 16498 Registered: 4-2010 |
For #1: Was he hit by the counterweight for the elevator Yes! (as the elevator itself was rising)? But no! Did he enter the shaft in an attempt to escape someone/something? No Did he enter it on the bottom floor, through the door for people getting on the elevator? It is not relevant how he entered the shaft Did he think it was an exit, rather than the elevator door? See prev For #2: Did he force the door open somehow? Yes!! by kicking it? prying it with, e.g. a crowbar? Neither, though "kicking" is closer I'm assuming it was not open on its own, as the elevator was on another floor. Correct? YOPE Was the man just very frustrated at the elevator not coming to his floor? or was he drunk? No or otherwise mentally impaired? No | ||
| Kyeannpepper (Kyeannpepper)
New member Username: Kyeannpepper Post Number: 162 Registered: 1-2012 |
Was the elevator stuck between two floors? His and the one above? His and the one below? Other? | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 16501 Registered: 4-2010 |
Was the elevator stuck between two floors? His and the one above? His and the one below? Other? No to all | ||
| Ciaobella (Ciaobella)
New member Username: Ciaobella Post Number: 778 Registered: 8-2011 |
For #1: Did he enter the building through the elevator shaft (a la Blue Streak)? And then was struck by the counterweight? For #2: Was there a cab in the shaft? If so, did he step through a hole in the floor? Did he have noble intentions (such as saving someone)? Selfish ones? Did he intend to hold onto something in the shaft, rather than step into a cab? If so, did he lose his grip? | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 16503 Registered: 4-2010 |
For #1: Did he enter the building through the elevator shaft (a la Blue Streak)? Again, I'm not sure exactly how he entered the shaft, and it's irrel And then was struck by the counterweight? For #2: Was there a cab in the shaft? Yes If so, did he step through a hole in the floor? No, and FA! Did he have noble intentions (such as saving someone)? No Selfish ones? Yesish, I guess? Did he intend to hold onto something in the shaft, No rather than step into a cab? Yes, same FA! If so, did he lose his grip? See prev | ||
| Kyeannpepper (Kyeannpepper)
New member Username: Kyeannpepper Post Number: 169 Registered: 1-2012 |
Sorry about forgetting to put the solution # on my first few q's...this is my first double-header puzzle I've asked questions on! For #2: Did he actually want to step in a cab? Or did he intentionally want to enter the shaft itself? | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 16506 Registered: 4-2010 |
Sorry about forgetting to put the solution # on my first few q's...this is my first double-header puzzle I've asked questions on! Don't worry about it -- if you forget, I can either tell from the context or answer for both. And this is the first double-header puzzle I've run, and I've made a couple goofs as well... For #2: Did he actually want to step in a cab? Yesish, same FA! Or did he intentionally want to enter the shaft itself? Noish/Yope | ||
| Kyeannpepper (Kyeannpepper)
New member Username: Kyeannpepper Post Number: 172 Registered: 1-2012 |
And here I was trying to clear up the FA! ARGH!!!! On the other hand, thank you ever so much for posting on my Latventure, Balin! | ||
| Kyeannpepper (Kyeannpepper)
New member Username: Kyeannpepper Post Number: 173 Registered: 1-2012 |
For #2 (which I'm more inclined to because I was born in South Korea!): Did he actually 'step' into a cab? Was he instead in, say, a wheelchair? Oh! And did he in fact 'ram' the doors with his wheelchair/other device to open the doors (this being somewhat close to 'kicking')? And you answered 'YOPE' to the elevator being closed because it was on another floor. Was the elevator in fact, on his floor, but the door was closed? Yes, continuing with my attempts to clear the FA. While trying to see what "stepping into a hole in the floor", "stepping into a cab", and "wanting to step in a cab" had in common, I hit upon it...they all contain the word 'step'! | ||
| Ciaobella (Ciaobella)
New member Username: Ciaobella Post Number: 779 Registered: 8-2011 |
For #1: Was he trying to steal something from the elevator? Steel scraps, perhaps? When I was little, there was a thief in our neighborhood who stole copper wiring from air conditioners. For #2: Was the elevator on his floor? | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 16509 Registered: 4-2010 |
For #2 (which I'm more inclined to because I was born in South Korea!): Did he actually 'step' into a cab? Was he instead in, say, a wheelchair? YES!!!!! Oh! And did he in fact 'ram' the doors with his wheelchair/other device to open the doors (this being somewhat close to 'kicking')? Also YES!!!! And you answered 'YOPE' to the elevator being closed because it was on another floor. Was the elevator in fact, on his floor, but the door was closed? At one point, it was... Yes, continuing with my attempts to clear the FA. While trying to see what "stepping into a hole in the floor", "stepping into a cab", and "wanting to step in a cab" had in common, I hit upon it...they all contain the word 'step'! And that was it! For #1: Was he trying to steal something from the elevator? Yes! Steel Yes scraps No, perhaps? When I was little, there was a thief in our neighborhood who stole copper wiring from air conditioners. This is actually OTRT For #2: Was the elevator on his floor? As stated above, it was at one point... | ||
| Ciaobella (Ciaobella)
New member Username: Ciaobella Post Number: 785 Registered: 8-2011 |
For #1: Relevant what steel parts he was stealing from the elevator? Did he steal the steel (tee-hee) part that supported the counterweight? For #2: To get my timeline straight: Was the elevator on the floor when the man in the wheelchair began ramming the doors? Was the the cab on his floor when the doors opened? Or... oh, dear... was he backing up to ram the door, went at it full force, the doors opened, and he tumbled down the shaft because he couldn't stop the rolling wheelchair in time? | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 16516 Registered: 4-2010 |
For #1: Relevant what steel parts he was stealing from the elevator? Yes... Did he steal the steel (tee-hee) part that supported the counterweight? In a way. I'll call this close enough. *****SPOI---***** From the Darwin Awards website: (8 March 2008, Czech Republic) Steel is valuable, especially the high-grade alloy used in steel cable. Scrap metal dealers do not ask questions. They pay in cash. And a good supply of steel cable can be found in elevator shafts. This particular gold mine was a towering shaft inside an empty granary near Zatec, forty miles northwest of Prague. The cable was tightly fastened, and the far end of it disappeared into the shadowy distance above. After substantial wear and tear on a hacksaw, our man finally cut through the strong steel cable. At that instant the counterbalance, no longer held in check, started to move silently downward, accelerating until it reached the bottom of the shaft. Result: one proud winner of a "terminal velocity" Darwin Award. R.I.P. Nice work, Ciaobella! One more to go... For #2: To get my timeline straight: Was the elevator on the floor when the man in the wheelchair began ramming the doors? Noish Was the the cab on his floor when the doors opened? No Or... oh, dear... was he backing up to ram the door, went at it full force, the doors opened, and he tumbled down the shaft because he couldn't stop the rolling wheelchair in time? No. Remember, he did successfully ram the doors. I will add that this is also a Darwin Award winner, so please refrain from GooglePediaTube. | ||
| Ciaobella (Ciaobella)
New member Username: Ciaobella Post Number: 789 Registered: 8-2011 |
So he successfully rammed the doors, which opened, revealing that there was no cab in the shaft for his floor, correct? Did he purposely enter the shaft anyway? Did something happen between the time the doors opened and the time he fell? Is the timing of the cab's movement relevant (for example, it was changing floors as the door opened)? | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 16520 Registered: 4-2010 |
So he successfully rammed the doors, which opened, revealing that there was no cab in the shaft for his floor, correct? Yes Did he purposely enter the shaft anyway? Yesish -- see next Did something happen between the time the doors opened and the time he fell? No! Is the timing of the cab's movement relevant Yes!! (for example, it was changing floors as the door opened)? No... | ||
| Ciaobella (Ciaobella)
New member Username: Ciaobella Post Number: 795 Registered: 8-2011 |
Did he notice that there was no cab in the shaft? | ||
| Kyeannpepper (Kyeannpepper)
New member Username: Kyeannpepper Post Number: 201 Registered: 1-2012 |
Was he able to stop before entering the shaft? Or would his momentum carried him in anyway? | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 16533 Registered: 4-2010 |
Did he notice that there was no cab in the shaft? Yes Was he able to stop before entering the shaft? No Or would his momentum carried him in anyway? Yes HINT: Why did he ram the doors? | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 16581 Registered: 4-2010 |
RECAP: A man lies dead at the bottom of an elevator shaft. The man had repeatedly rammed his wheelchair into the elevator doors, and when they gave way, he tumbled down the shaft. The elevator's movements are relevant. | ||
| Kyeannpepper (Kyeannpepper)
New member Username: Kyeannpepper Post Number: 258 Registered: 1-2012 |
Did he ram the doors because he had pressed the call button, but the elevator was taking too long? So he rammed the doors, and the elevator was on its way down, but hadn't gotten there yet? Wild guess: Or did the elevator actually not just move up-and-down, and move sideways as well, as in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 16584 Registered: 4-2010 |
Did he ram the doors because he had pressed the call button, but the elevator was taking too long? So he rammed the doors, and the elevator was on its way down, but hadn't gotten there yet? No to all, but heading towards the right track Wild guess: Or did the elevator actually not just move up-and-down, and move sideways as well, as in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? No | ||
| Ciaobella (Ciaobella)
New member Username: Ciaobella Post Number: 817 Registered: 8-2011 |
If the doors had simply popped open and he hadn't been ramming them, would he still have fallen to the bottom of the shaft? | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 16624 Registered: 4-2010 |
If the doors had simply popped open and he hadn't been ramming them, would he still have fallen to the bottom of the shaft? No | ||
| Ciaobella (Ciaobella)
New member Username: Ciaobella Post Number: 835 Registered: 8-2011 |
Let me check my understanding of the order of events: 1. The man tries to open the elevators the standard way (pushing the button). Nothing happens. 2. The man decides to ram the doors with his wheelchair. Is the cab behind the doors (on his floor) at this point? 3. The doors slide open. Is the cab on his floor at this point? 4. The cab moves from his floor, if it was on it. 5. The man tumbles down the elevator shaft. Is that because he was already propelling forward in his chair and could not stop in time? | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 16636 Registered: 4-2010 |
1. The man tries to open the elevators the standard way (pushing the button). No Nothing happens. 2. The man decides to ram the doors with his wheelchair. Yes Is the cab behind the doors (on his floor) at this point? No 3. The doors slide open. No, possible slight FA Is the cab on his floor at this point? No 4. The cab moves from his floor, if it was on it. This happens earlier 5. The man tumbles down the elevator shaft. Yes Is that because he was already propelling forward in his chair and could not stop in time? Yope. Remember that this is Darwin-Award-worthy. | ||
| Kayleetonkslupin (Kayleetonkslupin)
New member Username: Kayleetonkslupin Post Number: 5361 Registered: 9-2010 |
Was he *trying* to end up in the elevator shaft? On a dare? To see how deep it was? | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 16645 Registered: 4-2010 |
Was he *trying* to end up in the elevator shaft? Noish On a dare? To see how deep it was? Neither The two keys to this puzzle: -What were the elevator's movements? -Why did he ram the doors? I will add that these are connected. | ||
| Ciaobella (Ciaobella)
New member Username: Ciaobella Post Number: 846 Registered: 8-2011 |
OK, another theory (again, correct me as needed): He is approaching an open elevator. The doors slide closed before he gets there. He rams the elevator angrily. Any of that OTRT? | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 16649 Registered: 4-2010 |
OK, another theory (again, correct me as needed): He is approaching an open elevator. The doors slide closed before he gets there. He rams the elevator angrily. Any of that OTRT? More than that, it's the **********SPOILER********** Again, from DarwinAwards.com: DARWIN AWARD WINNER OF THE CENTURY! Angry Wheelchair Man, the rashly rushing rammer who epitomizes the downfall of the human race. (25 August 2010, Daejon, South Korea) An angry handicapped man, annoyed that an elevator departed without him, thinks it over before ramming his wheelchair into the doors (bam!) once, twice, three times in all. Success and failure combined as he gained access to the elevator, and plunged down the rabbit hole to his death. This 40-year-old man earns immortality as an irritated Darwin Award winner. Guess what? This one comes with a video! Nice work everyone, especially Ciaobella, who took on the bulk of the load. New puzzle shortly. |
