Sedan-Chair
A sedan-chair is a human powered wheelless vehicle consisting of an enclosed cabin with a seat for a single passenger, carried on two horizontal poles by two bearers, one in the front and the other in the rear. Origin and Etymology The name is linked to the town of Sedan in France, where the design gained prominence, though the human powered litters date back to ancient civilizations in Egypt, Asis and China. Introduced for public hire in London in 1634 by Sir Saunders Duncombe Sedan chairs became a major urban transport more during the 17th and 18th centuries. They were smaller than horse-drawn carriages allowing them to navigate congested or narrow alleys, and they kept healthy passengers out of muddy, unpaved streets while protecting elaborate wigs, gowns and clean shoes. In places like London and Bath, chairmen operated from designated ranks, carried official registration numbers on the back, and charged fixed rates regulated by Hackney Coach Office....