Brake Van Origins

[IanT]

People were also of course noticeably shorter in those days. Poor diet I guess.

Just look at the doors and ceilings in many older properties and even I sometimes have to duck. Both my sons and all of their friends are over six foot and would have been regarded as very big men even a century ago, whereas now it is more the norm. Of course we are also quite a bit 'wider' than before too!

Regards,

IanT

[Ted Sadler]

Why were the ceilings 8ft above floor level? Try standing with your titfer (everyone wore hats until the 1950's) next to an oil lamp 6ft above the floor! Apart from the risk of being singed, you block out the light from those around you. 

[croned]

John

Many thanks for the information. I do not normally take Backtrack but I will hunt Octobers one down. I have copies of both Wishaw and the Ulster Railway handbook plus a drawing of No 33 (1863) which I have drawn from the original body now in our yard at Downpatrick. I'm doing some research so that we can start restoration in the next couple of years.

David

[midnight miller]

Hello All

Regarding the height of early vehicles , I belive the population was considerably shorter in the Victorian times . Am I right in cross referencing this to cottage doorways and ceiling heights?


                                             John