Baby Stroller Invention
Where did the baby stroller invention come from? The next time that you are pushing your child down the sidewalk, think about the following story...
Prior to the year 1733, parents had no real way to transport children. During this time, children would often stay home with their nannies, or they would have to get around by foot. One day, the Duke of Devonshire asked a garden architect by the name of William Kent to design some type of vehicle that his children could get around in. Kent came up with a basket attached to wheels that could be pulled by a pony or goat. Once other affluent members of society saw this contraption, the idea caught on like wildfire. Thus, the baby stroller invention was born.
Around the year 1840, hardly an aristocratic member of society could be seen without a carriage in their hands. Queen Victoria owned three of the carriages herself, and many others loved the fact that these transporters were decorated with brass and other ornate pieces. Most of the time, these works of art had names such as “princess” or “duchess.” In 1889, a man by the name of William Richardson came up with the reversible carriage that could be turned toward, or away, from the parent. Since Richardson’s invention, many more people have been perfecting the carriage.
When 1920 rolled around, nearly every family could afford a carriage, since they were no longer made from brass and other expensive materials. Instead, the modern Twenties carriage had large wheels, brakes, and frames that were much sturdier than earlier models. Even though the models from the Twenties were better than the earlier ones, they were still rather heavy. In 1965, a man by the name of Owen Maclaren designed a carriage that was made from aluminum. This aluminum carriage was the first real umbrella carriage. Though carriages have become more technologically advanced, the baby stroller invention that occurred during the Sixties was the base for the ones that we see today.
Once the 1980s happened, strollers were everywhere. Nearly every baby manufacturer was creating some type of carriage, and nearly every family had one. Recently, carriages have become a bit of a fashion statement with designers such as Bugaboo and Phil & Teds popping up all around suburbia.
As you may be able to tell, baby stroller invention had humble beginnings, though it quickly evolved. Today, most families would not go without some type of efficient carriage.