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(Horseless Age, 1909)
Getting
Into the Car: First, Getting Off the Horse
Although as early as 1904 it was declared
that the limousine "promises to
become as popular for town use as the luxurious horse-drawn vehicles of
conventional type," the carriage trade rode behind a horse to formal events
up
to the 1920's. Not even the motoring President himself, William Howard Taft,
thought to ride at his inaugural in anything but a carriage. Seasonal toys for
the wealthy and adventurous, motor cars were curiosities and not fit for
serious travel. When voyaging, the wealthy family packed great quantities
of luggage and brought servants. They took a horse-drawn carriage
to the station, and the rail or boat to their destination. In town,
the formal car was horse-drawn. Additionally, automobiles were
not appropriate or winter use, the important social season for
which carriages fulfilled every need.
From Horse to Motor, the idea's the
same...
(Courtesy of Library of Congress)
(Courtesy of Library of Congress)
(Courtesy Executive Coach Builders)
(Photo by Christopher J. Bromley)
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