When Were Strollers Invented? A Guide Through History

We hope you love the products we recommend! FYI -if you click on a product below and decide to buy it, we may earn a small commission.

The history of strollers is as old and prestigious as the first person to use one.

Strollers were designed for children who were members in good standing at their fathers’ houses, but they soon became a staple piece of equipment used by all sorts from royalty down through people like you and me.

when were strollers invented

Table of Contents

When Were Strollers Invented? 

The history of the stroller is a bit murky, but the general consensus is that they were invented in the early 1700s. In 1733, an architect-designed stroller for the Duke of Devonshire’s children became known as “the pram” which is short for “perambulator” or baby carriage.

There are a few different stories about who invented them, but most believe it was either a Frenchman named Nicolas-Jacques Conte or an Englishman named William Kent.

Strollers were originally created as carriages for the wealthy, but they quickly became popular with the middle class as well. By the mid-1800s, there were dozens of different types of strollers available on the market.

The modern stroller was invented in the early 1900s by a man named Owen Maclaren. He wanted to create a stroller that was easy to fold up and transport, so he came up with the idea of using hinges. His design quickly became popular, and soon all strollers were being made with hinges.

Over the years, Maclaren’s design has been tweaked and improved upon, but the basic concept remains the same.

Today, strollers are a common sight on city streets and in parks. They’re a great way to get around with your baby, and they come in a variety of different styles and colors. So next time you see a stroller, stop and take a closer look – it’s an interesting piece of history worth exploring.

When Did The First Perambulator Arrive On The Scene?

When English architect and furniture designer William Kent was commissioned to design a pram for Chatsworth House’s children, he had no idea that his invention would become such an integral part of house life.

The first “household term” emerged in 1740 with the introduction of a stroller called simply “the pram.”

Who Invented The Baby Buggy?

William H. Millett, an inventor from the United States was born in 1875 and invented Richardson’s baby carrier which he patented on June 18th, 1889 with his first design being Number 405 600 out of 614 total claims made during this time period (Millett).

8 Fun Facts About Strollers

There are all sorts of fun facts about strollers. A few include:

  • Did you know that the first stroller was actually made for a baby elephant? It was called a ‘perambulator’ and was designed to help the elephant get around.
  • Strollers come in all sorts of different shapes and sizes. Some strollers are designed for newborns, while others are made for toddlers and older children. There are even strollers that can be used for multiple children at once.
  • One of the best things about strollers is that they make it easy to take your child with you wherever you go. Whether you’re going for a walk in the park or running errands at the grocery store, a stroller can make life a lot easier.
  • A stroller can be a great place for your baby to take a nap.
  • Some strollers have built-in sunshades to keep your little one shielded from the sun.
  • Strollers can be folded up easily, so you can take them with you wherever you go.
  • Some stroller models even come with built-in speakers, so you and your baby can listen to music or audiobooks while you walk.
  • And finally, a stroller is a great way to get some exercise while spending time with your baby.

Difference Between Old and Modern Strollers

  • Old strollers were made with a lot of metal and gears, which made them very durable but also very heavy. They often required two people to operate them, one to steer and the other to work the pedals. New strollers are made mostly of plastic and are much lighter. They can be operated by one person, and the pedals are designed to be easy to use even for those with limited mobility.
  • The old strollers were also quite loud, which could be a problem if you wanted to use them in a residential area. The new strollers are much quieter, making them more suitable to use in populated areas. 

Articles You Might Enjoy Reading

Share with your friends:

Sara Taylor

Sara Taylor

Sara is a freelance writer from the Midwest. As a mom of 3 boys, she knows how much abuse a stroller can take.