Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 127, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 November 1904 — Origin of the Hansom. [ARTICLE]

Origin of the Hansom.

The hansom was the Invention of Joseph Hansom, the architect of the Birmingham town hall. But the two wheeled cab which he patented in 1834 little resembles the vehicle which now bears his name. It had a square, sedan chair shaped body hung between two wheels nearly eight feet high. The driver’s seat was In front, as also was the door. The fare entered the cab between the wheel and shaft. The modern hansom was adapted from this original by Messrs. Glllet and Chapman. It Is a peculiarly English vehicle, and no foreign nation has ever compassed the dogged courage of the Briton who can sit calmly Inside It— London Chronicle.