If Joseph Aloysius Hansom invented the Hansom cab, once the most popular
of horse-drawn carriages the gondolas of London, as Disraeli called
them he certainly gained nothing from his invention. Most authorities
vouch for Hansom, but one source claims that Edward Bird invented the
vehicle, presenting the idea gratis to his brother-in-law, Edward Welch, a
partner of Hansoms Birmingham architectural firm. Hanson (1803-82) was an
English architect specializing in churches and public buildings. He did
patent the cab but the financial arrangement he made upon selling his
patent rights proved disastrous. Promised ten thousand pounds, Hansom
received, according to conflicting accounts, either nothing or a mere
three hundred pounds for his patent. Hansom cabs, however, made millions
for their manufacturers. The low, two-wheeled covered carriage, with the
drivers seat above it in the back, was noted for its maneuverability and
safety features as well as its privacy and unobstructed view for
passengers. Soon after its appearance, in 1834, it became the most popular
cab in London and around the world. The last Hansom disappeared from
London in 1944, but a few are still available for hire in New Yorks
Central Park.