On Wed, 20 Mar 2019 23:40:49 +0000, wrote:

Yes, I remember them being popular in the 70s. There must be lots in
recycling skips - I'll look in the local one.

Basically a block-and-tackle arrangement with a weight and lots of friction...

https://www.amazon.de/MonsterShop-Zu.../dp/B07DP2N7Z1

(just to illustrate the principle of the thing)


Thomas Prufer