Trapdoor

A trapdoor is a sliding or hinged door, flush with the surface of a floor, roof, or ceiling, or in the stage of a theatre. A hatch, an opening which may also be in a wall and need not be flush with the surface, is similar; in some cases either name is applicable. A small door in a wall, floor or ceiling used to gain access to equipment is called an access hatch or access door.

History

Originally, trapdoors were sack traps in mills, and allowed the sacks to pass up through the mill while naturally falling back to a closed position.

Many buildings with flat roofs have hatches that provide access to the roof; on ships, hatches—usually not flush, and never called trapdoors—provide access to the deck. Cargo ships, including bulk carriers, have large hatches for access to the holds.

Gallows

Most 19th- and 20th-century gallows featured a trapdoor, usually with two flaps. The victim was placed at the join. The edge of a trapdoor farthest from the hinge accelerates faster than gravity, so that the prisoner does not hit the flaps but falls freely.

Trapdoor (disambiguation)

A trapdoor is a door set into a floor or ceiling.

Trapdoor or Trap Door may also refer to:

Trap Door (EP)

Trap Door is an EP by T Bone Burnett, released in 1982. It was his first release on the Warner Bros. label after leaving Takoma Records.

Although the EP is out of print, all the songs were reissued on CD by Rhino Handmade on March 27, 2007. The double CD also includes the Behind the Trap Door EP and Proof Through the Night, and was issued in a numbered limited edition of 5,000.

Reception

In his review, music critic Brett Hartenbach of Allmusic called the EP "Intelligent and compelling... well worth hunting down."

Track listing

All tracks composed by T Bone Burnett; except where indicated

Personnel

Production