A hansom is a type of two-wheeled carriage pulled by a single horse, designed to carry two passengers. The driver sat high up at the back, behind and above the passengers, giving them privacy and a clear view forward. The hansom became wildly popular in London and other cities during the 1800s as a fast, efficient way to get around, like the taxicabs of their time.

What made hansoms special was their clever design. The high driver's seat meant passengers could talk privately without the driver overhearing. The large wheels and lightweight construction made them quicker than heavier four-wheeled carriages. If you've read Sherlock Holmes stories, you've probably encountered hansoms: Holmes and Watson were always hailing them to chase criminals through foggy London streets.

The hansom was invented in 1834 by Joseph Hansom, an English architect. His design was so successful that hansom cab became the common name for these carriages. By the early 1900s, automobiles began replacing hansoms, but for about seventy years, the distinctive clip-clop of a hansom's horse was one of the signature sounds of city life.