Past & Present: The Cab (colour litho)

The Cab. Sedan-Chair. In the 17th and 18th centuries the fashionable mode of transport in our towns and cities was the Sedan-chair, which was introduced into England in 1634 by Sir S Duncombe. It took its name from Sedan, France, where it was first used. The passenger usually entered by means of a hinged door at the front; the roof also was often hinged at the back. Modern Taxicab. Electric cabs first appeared in London in 1897, and "taxameter" cabs in 1899. In spite of strong opposition the taxicab gradually came into general use, and to-day it is to be seen in the streets of every city in the civilised world. Illustration for one of a set of cigarette cards on the subject of Past & Present issued by Wills in 1929.