TheHistoryOf.net

I was surprised to learn that the first push chair dates back to the reign of George I.  In 1733, garden architect William Kent created a wheeled basket to transport the Duke of Devonshire’s children on walks.  Originally designed to be pulled by a goat or large dog, Kent’s ornate design was popular with the wealthy but slow to catch on with common folk.  A century would pass before their popularity would spread to America and the design would be improved upon to include brakes and parasol style covers.

The Queen Sets the Standard

By this time Queen Victoria’s family was growing.  Her Majesty would eventually purchase three prams for her nine children.  Her large family was always in the news and their purchases were seen as setting the standard for what the people of the nation should have.  Thus it is no surprise that manufacturers bent over backwards to make any connection possible between their product and the throne.  The country’s most popular prams carried names like Princess, Balmoral and Windsor.

More Eye Contact

While the earliest prams were large affairs that often resembled miniature hansom cabs, later models were more practical.  In 1889, began marketing a stroller with a reversible handle.  This allowed the mother to push her child with him facing her or with his back to her.   Not only was this renovation handy, but it supported the social movement at the time that encouraged mothers to spend more time interacting with their young children instead of just caring for them.

Safer and Sturdier

By the 1920s, prams had become mechanically elaborate affairs that featured large wheels for a comfortable ride, deeper seats and better brakes for safety, and solid frames designed to last for generations.  In fact, the recently married Prince William used a pram purchase by the Royal Family during this time for his grandmother.

Smaller and Lighter

As the post war era gave way to the Fabulous 50s, family cars became the norm.  These big cars boasted big trunks to hold prams the size of small ponies.  However, the petrol shortage of the late 1960s led to smaller cars that were not so suitable to carrying heavy baby equipment.  This gave rise to the umbrella stroller, invented in 1965 as a smaller, lighter version of its perambulator cousin.  By the mid-1970s, the large comfortable prams were considered passé and fell into disuse.

Less Moving and Walking

The early 1980s saw a rise in the now mandatory infant car seat, and with it strollers designed to work as mere frames that a car seat can be clicked into so as not to disturb the sleeping occupant.  This period also marked the beginning of the push for more and more aggressive infertility treatments, which in turn led to a dramatic increase in the number of multiples being born and the now common double and triple strollers.   Strollers and push chairs also began to made larger to cater to older children, as parents became more comfortable taking their children on the go when they went out.

About the Author

Melissa Cameron has certainly spent many a happy hour pushing prams.  Today she puts that experience to good use writing for Joovy Caboose reviews and Bumbleride stroller reviews.