Limousines

Big events need big limousines...

Most of us can recall the first time we set our eyes on a limousine. Why do you ask? Limousines have always represented the ultimate in flash and glamour and for about three hundred years the rich and famous have been toted around from place to place in the peak of style and luxury.

The history of limousines

The word limousine has been around for many decades and takes its root from other languages but the term we are all familiar with means a long and very luxurious car driven by a person called a chauffeur. Chauffeur is another word that comes from a different language. The word comes from French and means heat. This came about when the railroads had a person to keep the engine hot so the name stuck. Now we know the word chauffeur to mean the individuals that drive the stretched limousines around town in front of the sliding glass window between the driver compartment and the passenger compartment. Actually even the uniform worn by the drivers takes its root from the old time French application.

The modern day stretch limousines came about in the 1920's and was created by a limousine company called Armbruster. Old time limousines were used for the wealthy and that trend did not change with the modern limousines as even in the 1920's the stretch limos were used to take famous musicians and bands to and from gigs around the United States leading to the term Big Band Buses.

As time moved on into the 1930's the limousines started to become more mass produced and started to be more commonly used to transport hotel guests to and from the airport as well as showing the wealthy around town. Hollywood actors caught on to the idea of the limousines around the same time and the limousine quickly became the ultimate accessory to be seen in. With the majority of the rich and famous in California there is no wonder that the highest percentage of the limousines rented are a Moraga limousine since transportation to and from San Francisco is in high demand. The west coast states grew denser and more and more of the elite moved further inland to states like Arizona and New Mexico. Still needing to get to the coast, the travelers from nearby western U.S. states began to take limousines to California and so Arizona limousines became a popular idea.

In a more morbid twist, in the 1970's with the merger of the two large coach builders, the limousine began to grow in popularity among the funeral companies as a way to transport large groups of people. The demand for these vehicles grew leaps and bounds for this reason and many others. The first six door limousine came about in 1974 and now the everyday use of the limousines grew to include just about every type of wealthy person from Presidents to actors to company executives. The larger cities in the country that had big name business men traveling in and out of it required airport transportation. For this reason the airport limousine service New York became the business to be in. Shortly after New York caught on a limousine service in Chicago was the place to have your investment money since the trend spread to there next.

As you can see the purpose of the limousines have changed dramatically. Granted, the limo is still used for all of the original reasons but the reasons have expanded to include anytime a person wants an event to be memorable. Weddings, concerts and holiday celebrations are just a few of the reasons a person would hire a limousine service. The limousine has even grown to be an event in and of itself instead of just transportation to and from an event. Gone are the days of the limousines being a way to simply transport more people than a normal sedan. The accessories and amenities of modern New York limousines rival those of most high end night clubs and hotels rooms. There is no end in sight with regard to the growth of the limo industry which is a pat on the back to the originators of many years ago.

As an average person like most of us even the best limousines on the market are well in our reach for special occasions. Do your research and choose the right company to suit your needs. I am sure you will find that the limo took a great day and made it better.