The first taxicab existed in the ancient Rome in which the meter used a unique mechanism that released small balls as soon as the cart’s axle was turned off. Interestingly, at the end of the trip, the passenger was charged based on the number of balls that were released. Taxis have been around for quite a long time now, since the time gladiators fought lions and the Roman legions stormed around Europe making lots of walls in a span of several centuries. The transition from stone structures to steel buildings and roll up door has been immaculate, but the usage of taxis still continues.
Their usage has grown tremendously over the years. Today, they have become a common sight in towns and cities throughout the world. They are not just a means of transportation but they also provide solid income opportunities for people who have sufficient knowledge regarding various locations, routes and streets.
Many people do not know that it was not the taxi that was invented first but it was the taximeter. The first taximeter, invented by the Rikscha München Romans, led to the development of taxicab which included the horse and cart. The horse-drawn carts and carriages, rickshaws and for some time the electricity powered taxis were used till the end of the 19th century. Taxis that we see now, for example, the ones fueled by petrol appeared for the first time at the term of the century. These taxis today have become the standard.
The invention of the two-way radio in 1940s was responsible for some major booms. It led to an accelerated use of taxis, by making it easier for customers to get hold of a cab. It for sure did add a lot more convenience in our lives.
The common cabs, that we see these days, are mostly yellow or black in color or in the form of auto-rickshaw which are seen mostly in Asia. Their services are utilized daily by several commuters. Tourists are usually quite excited to travel in the Asian cabs. They do not forget to mention the stories involving their exhilarating experiences with Asian cabs when they get back to their homes.
Taxis that we see these days are mostly powered by diesel engines. There are two major benefits of diesel engines; one being the longer time between fill-ups and the second is a more long-lasting and efficient engine. However, there is good news for people associated with this profession that a hybrid technology is growing more viable. Cabs that will be employed with this technology will be called hybrid taxi cabs. This will be one major leap in the history of taxi cabs.
Basically, these cabs work on electricity at low speeds but it does not take much time for the driver to accelerate. Mostly, taxis move around different places at low speeds so in this way they will save a lot of money that was previously wasted on fuel.
People move in and out of taxis everyday, but have you ever realized how far this institution has traveled since the ancient times? Their appearance and style has been transformed and it is hard to imagine where they will be in the next 100 years.
A Short History of the Taxicab
Taxis have been around since gladiators fought lions and Roman legions stormed around Europe taking over countries and building lots of walls. Their use has grown from their early beginnings, until now being an extremely common sight around towns and cities across the globe. They provide a crucial part of the transportation infrastructure and a solid income for geographically minded drivers.
The most important invention which instigated the birth of the taxicab was the first taximeter. In ancient Rome they came up with a mechanism where small balls were dropped from the back of the horse and cart, so that when the destination was reach, the driver could count how many balls had dropped and calculate how much was owed by the passenger.
Horse drawn carts and carriages, rickshaws and for a while electricity powered taxis were in common use up until the end of the 19th century. The first petrol powered taxis appeared at the turn of the century and were the norm until recently. The invention of the two-way radio in the 1940s instigated a major acceleration in taxi use, as their use vastly improved the efficiency of taxi services and the speed in which customers could be reached.
Nowadays, Yellow cabs in New York, the Black cabs in London and the auto-rickshaw (or Tuk-Tuk) found mostly in Asia, are all icons, used daily by thousands of commuters and are commonly key figures in stories people bring back from trips around the globe.
The use of diesel engines in taxis is now Rikscha München the norm as this allows for a longer time between fill ups and generally a more efficient and longer lasting engine. A major plus for hard working taxis. Also, now that hybrid technology is becoming more and more viable, hybrid taxi cabs are tipped to be the next step forward. Their systems run on electricity at low speeds and when you put your foot down, the engine kicks in to boost acceleration. As taxis generally slide around town at cruising speed this means that they will save a lot of money on petrol.