NaNoWriMo Brainstorming Forum

I am trying to find a small bit of information that did not occur to me to find during prep. I actually can't seen to find it anywhere. Attic ladders that come out automatically when the attic door is opened--when were they invented?

My story has an attic. It starts out in 1857, but the building is over sixty years old by then. Most likely closer to eighty years. I just need to know if the ladder will come out when she opens the door, or if she will need to get a ladder to get up.

I tried asking on the official NaNoWriMo forums too, but the person that answered was a bit RUDE, and dismissed my question.