Men Ascending Vertical Ladders yet Moving Apart/Solution 1

Problem

$2$ men each ascend a vertical ladder, at the same speed, and yet they get further apart.

Explain.

Solution

The men are at the center of the Earth, ascending in opposite directions.

$\blacksquare$

Historical Note

This puzzle is typical of those found in collections of Victorian amusements.

Sources

• 1633: Henry van Etten: Mathematicall Recreations (translated by William Oughtred from Récréations Mathématiques)
• 1992: David Wells: Curious and Interesting Puzzles ... (previous) ... (next): Henry van Etten: $118$