The Daimler Victoria was the world’s first taxi. Built in 1897 by Gottlieb Daimler, the Victoria was fitted with the world’s first taximeter, which measured time and distance traveled. It didn’t go anywhere particularly fast – its top speed was 11 mph – but it beat walking. At the time, the horseless carriage contraption was quite a novelty, attracting a limited number of well-heeled customers in the city of Stuttgart, Germany. Two decades later, the more affordable Ford Model T brought the business of the taxi to more people, offering a realistic transport alternative to folks from all walks of life.
