While you may think that the history of the professional chauffeur service in London must be linked to the invention of the automobile, it in fact began some years before that, in the early nineteenth century.
Carriages drawn by horses were popular at this period in time, and wealthy individuals soon began employing drivers to operate them, and to transport them around the cities. Then, as such modes of transport were slowly phased out and cars became popular among the wealthier classes, drivers roles evolved into more of what we would recognize today as that of a chauffeur.
Did you know though, that before the Rolls Royce was created, chauffeurs were in fact men responsible for firing up steam engines by shovelling coal into them? The word chauffeur derives from Latin and French words referring to heat and warmth.
Chauffeurs And The Creation Of The Horseless Carriage
The world’s first cars were originally referred to as horseless carriages, and were very basic contraptions fitted out with little steam engines attached to a couple of axles and a chassis, to which a basic mechanism for steering could be found. Although basic, they were by no means cheap, and driving while shovelling coal into their engines proved taxing and highly ineffective. With the earliest creation of horseless carriages, a person was needed to steer, while another stoked the engine: the chauffeur. Hence, in the early years of the 20th century, the profession of chauffeuring was born, and they were trained not just in defensive driving and mechanics, but in etiquette, too.
The Role Of The Chauffeur During World War I
With many chauffeurs enlisting themselves in the military to support the war effort, a shortage of chauffeurs resulted during World War I. As a result, chauffeur training academies were launched, along with professional organisations for chauffeurs.
Moving On to the 1920s And 30s
As the years progressed, cars became increasingly more affordable, and were no longer the playthings of the rich and famous. As a result, more and more private individuals began to buy automobiles, lessening the requirement for chauffeurs, who often found employment as taxi drivers and the like. That said, for the very wealthy and elite, limousines with chauffeurs at the wheel remained popular.
Chauffeurs and World War II
With the onset of World War II, came an increasing desire for chauffeurs, especially as many who owned cars privately, donated them in aid of the war. As such, chauffeurs services were requisitioned by the government with the purpose of driving both military and official vehicles, which saw the professional enjoy a brief revival.
Post World War II however, the profession again began to decline as people understandably began to invest in cars for their personal use again. Despite this though, with the creation of the corporate world in the second half of the 20th century, business people began using chauffeur services to meet their executive needs.
The Modern Day Chauffeur
Having evolved not insignificantly since the early days of steam engines and horse-drawn carriages, the role of the chauffeur as we know it today, is more about luxury travel in luxury car models, such as SUVs and limousines. Used not just by business people, however, but by anyone wanting safe and comfortable transportation to destinations all over the world, chauffeur services have continued to grow in popularity.
With modern chauffeurs expected to meet and greet their clients, maintain vehicle cleanliness and monitor traffic conditions, while driving clients safely and efficiently to their destinations, the role of the London chauffeur service has become an integral part of modern, luxury travel.
With an intriguing history, chauffeuring offers a fascinating insight into a bygone era, while remaining a service vital not just to business people, but to people from all walks of life who want to be driven professionally, safely and comfortably, to a range of destinations.