London's taxis (black cabs) are an iconic symbol of London. London Taxis can either be booked in advance or hailed on the street or hired from specially designated taxi ranks.
London Black Taxi Cabs • Photo Credit: Neovain
Learn more about the origins and fascinating history of the London Taxi. Discover the beginning of horse drawn taxis in London, and the evolution of the internal combustion engine powered taxis.
The modern London Taxi Cab evolved from the horse-drawn Hackney Carriage.
Hackney Carriage • Photograph © Ed Sanders.
The first documented 'hackney coach' first operated in London in 1621. Current opinion is that the word 'hackney' is derived from the village name Hackney (now part of Greater London). Hackney was known for it's green grazing pastures and became famous for the horses bred and pastured there.
Ironically, considering todays movement towards electric and other low emission powered vehicles, London's first motorised taxis were powered by electricity. They were first introduced on to London's streets in 1897 by the London Electrical Cab Company. Sadly, they were unreliable and after a number of accidents they were withdrawn from service in 1900.
The first petrol powered cabs appeared in 1903, and today's London taxi is probably powered by diesel. However it seems that London will now once again see a new generation of electric powered taxis in the years to come.
The Hansom Cab was the predecessor of the modern London Taxi. A horse-drawn cabriolet (cab) that carried passengers for a fare in London.
Hansom Cab • Photograph © Andrew Dunn.
The hansom cab was designed and patented in 1834 by Joseph Hansom and was originally called the Hansom safety cab. The Hansom Cab was designed to combine speed with safety, with a low centre of gravity for safe cornering.
After its success in London, the Hansom Cab was introduced to other British cities and later to the United States, and in particular New York City.
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