A Cab LLC history

The new cabs were known as “Hummingbirds” because of the distinctive humming noise they made as they went. It wasn’t until the 19th century that the electric battery-powered taxis appeared in London, where Walter C. Bersey introduced an entire fleet of these cabs in 1897.

Gas-powered taxis came first to Germany, Paris, and London, and then to New York in the year 1907.

John Hertz, founder of today's Hertz Car Rentals, began in the taxi business in 1910, both building Yellow Cabs and operating the livery service.

In 1917, a small group of taxi operators, including John Hertz of Hertz Rent a Car, met in Washington, D.C. to form the National Association of Taxicab Owners (NATO) in an effort to block a proposed tax on taxi companies.

In 1922, Morris Markin started the Checker Cab Manufacturing Company, which later would become a huge success for the American Checker Automobile Company.

In 1923, the Checker Motors Corporation moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Markin sold Checker Cab toE.L. Cord, but bought it back again in 1936.

A row of Checker Taxis, sitting idle during a taxicab strike in 1940.

Grabbing a Checker Cab on Park Avenue 1944

The timeless sedan, the Superba, based on the A8 taxi, was introduced in 1956.

Rambler advertising said it was “designed and built for heavy-duty.” Studebaker in 1959 sold many taxicabs, including a special model offered that was 4.5 inches longer than the standard four-door Lark sold to consumers.

When production of that engine ceased, in 1960, Checker began offering either the Chevy 230 cu in (3.8 l) 16 Small block V-8.

Eventually, the cab company revenues exceeded those of Checker's automotive building division, and the company decided to enter the consumer passenger car business in 1961.

In 1964 the State of New York pursued Markin and Checker on antitrust charges, alleging that it controlled both the taxi service and manufacture of taxis, and thus favored itself in fulfilling orders.

In addition, the Plymouth models for 1968 were great looking vehicles sold by the Chrysler Corporation, and their taxicab models offered a choice of engines and a variety of interior and chassis features.

To better protect taxi drivers and offer improved services for passengers, business owners established the Taxi and Limousine Commission in 1971.