18. Taxi
Category – History
Harry Nathaniel Allen invented the word “taxicab” to describe his gas-powered fleet of cars in New York City. The word taxicab is an abbreviation of taximeter cabriolet. A taximeter is a gadget that measures the distance and time a vehicle travels. The taximeter allows an accurate fare to be calculated. A cabriolet is a horse-drawn carriage. Put a taximeter and a cabriolet together and you get a car for hire.
Question –
· Why are most taxis painted yellow?
Assignment – Find the answer and learn who started the first Yellow Cab Company by visiting the “Straight Dope” website. Why does every city seem to have a Yellow Cab company? You’ll discover the answer when you read the article –
Click here to research the answer.
Question –
· Today, you can hail a cab in any major city. Before the 1920s, you could also summon a cab – but you would’ve gotten a ride in a horse-drawn carriage. There are more than twenty varieties of horse-pulled carriages. Can you name one?
Assignment – Learn about the types of horse transport at Wikipedia –
Click here to research the answer.
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