Prams were first made in the 18th century, but were very much restricted to the upper classes of English society. They became much more widespread in the Victorian era, and by the early twentieth century they were used by all social classes. The design also evolved considerably, becoming lighter, and with improved safety features, such as brakes, deeper carriage bodies, and larger wheels. Pushchairs (buggies) are now much more common than prams, but some models are still available, including the old Silver Cross Brand, which is still made in Yorkshire. Nowadays modern 3-in-1 systems can have great flexibility, being easily converted between pram, buggy and carrycot.
The word pram is an abbreviation or contraction of perambulator. It is very much a UK English word. They are called baby carriages in the US.
William Kent, a garden architect, designed the first pram, in 1733. He was working for the Duke of Devonshire at the time. The design comprised a basket, richly decorated and shell shaped, and it could be towed by a small animal, such as a goat or pony.
US manufacture of baby carriages is attested from the 1830s. The Crandalls (Benjamin Potter Crandall, and his son Jesse Armour) manufactured baby carriages, and patented a number of improvements: umbrella and parasol fittings, folding models, and brakes.
Baby carriages were soon very popular among the upper and middle classes on both sides of the Atlantic. It is recorded that Queen Victoria purchased three from Hitchings Baby Store. Design were heavy, often made of wood and heavily ornamented, and with expensive brass joints. Designs often had names such as Duchess, or Balmoral, showing the association with the upper class lifestyle.
By the early years of the twentieth century most social classes could now afford prams. There were many design improvements. Prams were lighter, with more sturdy frames, with brakes and with larger wheels. Sprung suspensions could give a more comfortable ride, and also made them easier to push. There were also models where the body could be removed. When removed it was called a carrycot.
Pushchairs, where the baby sits up and faces forward, had existed for a long time, but in 1956 the collapsible pushchair was invented by Owen Maclaren. [His Maclaren company is still a major manufacturer] The collapsible pushchair, or buggy, is now the most popular type of baby transport. It is easy to store and transport once it is folded up.
Some buggies nowadays have very flexible designs, and the seat can be adjusted so the child is lying down, and even facing towards the parent as in the traditional pram design.
Despite the decline in traditional prams, and the growth in buggies, it is still possible to buy a traditional model. The Silver Cross brand was first made in Hunslet, Leeds in 1877. Following factory closures and changes of ownership they are now made in Bingley.
Carrying babies from one place to another is made much simpler when you use quality prams. The best pram is safe and durable to protect the infant from hazards.
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