One of man's earliest tool was steps. And boy are portable ones wonderful. Ladders are great for larger heights but they have serious disadvantages in not being able to stand on top. My wife is a horse rider and she brought domestic some lightweight Burlingham Sports mounting blocks. I now employ them nearly everyday around the house. Reaching things on shelves,standing on them to better reach in truck engine compartment, looking over privacy fences...they are so handy!
Source: thesurvivalpodcast.com