The horse-drawn carriage that served as a forerunner to the taxi was the hansom cab. It was designed by English architect Joseph Hansom and patented in 1834, becoming one of the most recognizable forms of urban transport in the nineteenth century.
The hansom’s distinctive design placed the driver on an elevated seat at the rear, while passengers sat in an enclosed cabin below. Its two large wheels, relatively low center of gravity, and compact body made it faster and more maneuverable than many earlier carriages. A communication hatch allowed passengers to speak with the driver.
Hansom cabs spread through Britain and other cities, including New York. They were hired for individual trips much like later taxis, although fares were initially arranged or regulated before taximeters became widespread. The term “cab” itself comes from cabriolet, a light carriage. A brougham was also a hired carriage, but “hansom cab” is the canonical answer to this question because of its direct connection to the motorized taxi’s development.