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- 1917 Ford Model T Taxicab - The ever-versatile Ford Model T could be adapted for taxicab service. Taxi drivers appreciated the same qualities that made the Model T so appealing to private owners: its low price and modest operating costs. This cab features a landaulet body -- with a fixed roof for the driver and a convertible roof for the passengers.
- 1917
- Collections - Artifact
1917 Ford Model T Taxicab
The ever-versatile Ford Model T could be adapted for taxicab service. Taxi drivers appreciated the same qualities that made the Model T so appealing to private owners: its low price and modest operating costs. This cab features a landaulet body -- with a fixed roof for the driver and a convertible roof for the passengers.
- Jones Taximeter, 1903 - The term "taxi" comes from "taximetre" -- the French word for a meter that measures distance and calculates a fare. Invented in 1891, these meters were widely used in European cabs by 1900. This example, designed by Joseph W. Jones and first used in 1903, is believed to be the first taximeter put into public use in the United States.
- 1902-1903
- Collections - Artifact
Jones Taximeter, 1903
The term "taxi" comes from "taximetre" -- the French word for a meter that measures distance and calculates a fare. Invented in 1891, these meters were widely used in European cabs by 1900. This example, designed by Joseph W. Jones and first used in 1903, is believed to be the first taximeter put into public use in the United States.
- "Checker, The Only Real Taxicab!," 1967 - Checker praised "The only real taxicab!" in its 1967 sales catalog. Checker cabs, according to this product literature, provided comfort, driving convenience, and economy. One of these qualities satisfied each cab user -- customer, driver, and owner. Checker manufactured cabs from 1922 through 1982.
- 1967
- Collections - Artifact
"Checker, The Only Real Taxicab!," 1967
Checker praised "The only real taxicab!" in its 1967 sales catalog. Checker cabs, according to this product literature, provided comfort, driving convenience, and economy. One of these qualities satisfied each cab user -- customer, driver, and owner. Checker manufactured cabs from 1922 through 1982.
- "Use the Only Real Taxicab, Checker," 1961 - From 1922 through 1982, Checker manufactured cabs. This 1961 sales catalog marketed the qualities looked for by potential buyers -- wide doors and extra luggage space for customers, and a long vehicle life and low operating costs for owners. On the back cover, Checker illustrated its production history with views of Checker cabs from previous years.
- 1961
- Collections - Artifact
"Use the Only Real Taxicab, Checker," 1961
From 1922 through 1982, Checker manufactured cabs. This 1961 sales catalog marketed the qualities looked for by potential buyers -- wide doors and extra luggage space for customers, and a long vehicle life and low operating costs for owners. On the back cover, Checker illustrated its production history with views of Checker cabs from previous years.
- 1981 Checker Marathon Taxicab - Most people think of Checker as an operator of taxicabs, but from 1922 through 1982 they also manufactured cabs. Checkers featured big back seats and trunks and rugged, durable construction. This Checker's basic design dates to 1956 and was substantially unchanged until production ceased in 1982.
- 1981
- Collections - Artifact
1981 Checker Marathon Taxicab
Most people think of Checker as an operator of taxicabs, but from 1922 through 1982 they also manufactured cabs. Checkers featured big back seats and trunks and rugged, durable construction. This Checker's basic design dates to 1956 and was substantially unchanged until production ceased in 1982.
- Motorcycle Taxis in Newark, New Jersey, 1926 - Taxicabs are not always automobiles. The term came from nineteenth-century "cabriolet" carriages whose passengers paid fares that were calculated by "taximeters." The taxicabs in this photograph are motorcycles. They offered convenient point-to-point transportation -- whether between transit systems or simply around town -- to paying Newark, New Jersey, customers in the mid-1920s.
- 1926
- Collections - Artifact
Motorcycle Taxis in Newark, New Jersey, 1926
Taxicabs are not always automobiles. The term came from nineteenth-century "cabriolet" carriages whose passengers paid fares that were calculated by "taximeters." The taxicabs in this photograph are motorcycles. They offered convenient point-to-point transportation -- whether between transit systems or simply around town -- to paying Newark, New Jersey, customers in the mid-1920s.
- Cartoon of a Cabbie Soliciting Trade, 1846 - A taxicab driver petitions a would-be customer by pointing to the threat of rain in this cartoon from 1846. The first horse-drawn carriages for hire appeared on city streets by the early 1600s. Light, two-wheel hansom cabs, like the one in this illustration, emerged in the 1830s. Motorized taxis began to replace horse-drawn cabs in the 1890s.
- 1846
- Collections - Artifact
Cartoon of a Cabbie Soliciting Trade, 1846
A taxicab driver petitions a would-be customer by pointing to the threat of rain in this cartoon from 1846. The first horse-drawn carriages for hire appeared on city streets by the early 1600s. Light, two-wheel hansom cabs, like the one in this illustration, emerged in the 1830s. Motorized taxis began to replace horse-drawn cabs in the 1890s.
- 1925 Yellow Cab Taxicab - John D. Hertz founded Chicago's Yellow Cab Manufacturing Company in 1915. While taxi operators could order their cabs in any color, yellow was popular because it so easily caught the attention of potential customers. General Motors bought Yellow Cab in 1925 and discontinued taxicab production in 1929. Hertz went on to form the rental car company that bore his name.
- 1925
- Collections - Artifact
1925 Yellow Cab Taxicab
John D. Hertz founded Chicago's Yellow Cab Manufacturing Company in 1915. While taxi operators could order their cabs in any color, yellow was popular because it so easily caught the attention of potential customers. General Motors bought Yellow Cab in 1925 and discontinued taxicab production in 1929. Hertz went on to form the rental car company that bore his name.