A herdic was a type of horse-drawn carriage, which was frequently used as an omnibus during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It was invented by Peter Herdic of Williamsport, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania[1][2] during the 1870s and patented in 1880.[3][4][5][6][7]
Shortly after the first vehicle's creation, fleets of herdics were purchased and used to create systems of inexpensive mass transportation in multiple major metropolitan across the United States,[8][9][10][11][12][13] bolstering Peter Herdic's status as a successful inventor[14][15] and millionaire.[16][17][18]
Herdics were particularly successful in Washington, D.C., becoming the transportation method of choice during inclement weather due to the cab's rear entrance design, which enabled drivers to back their vehicles up to sidewalks and buildings so that their passengers could enter the cabs more quickly than they would with traditional hansom cabs.[19]
The first herdic was used in Washington, D.C. in 1888.[20] The last surviving herdic in operation in Boston, Massachusetts was owned and driven by Daniel C. Harris in 1910. His horse's name was Billy.[21]
- ^ "Peter Herdic (1824-1888) Historical Marker," in "ExplorePAhistory.com." Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, retrieved online December 16, 2022.
- ^ Ryder, Thomas. "The Herdic Coach," in The Carriage Journal, Vol. 25, No. 4, Spring 1988, pp. 171-174. Salem, New Jersey: Carriage Association of America, retrieved online December 16, 2022.
- ^ Newly-patented Coaches of Peter Herdic, in "City and Country." Altoona, Pennsylvania: The Altoona Tribune, October 7, 1880, p. 3 (subscription required).
- ^ Vehicle Patent of Peter Herdic." Canton, Pennsylvania: The Canton Independent-Sentinel, April 23, 1880, p. 8 (subscription required).
- ^ "Peter Herdic's Patent." Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Philadelphia Times, April 21, 1880, front page (subscription required).
- ^ Letters Patent Granted to Peter Herdic, in "Keystone Notes." Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Harrisburg Telegraph, April 21, 1880, front page (subscription required).
- ^ "New Herdic Coaches: Rapid Transit and Cheap Fares for the People—New Cars." Washington, D.C.: National Republican, March 11, 1881, p. 4.
- ^ "The Herdic Coaches: A Number in Process of Construction in This City." Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Philadelphia Inquirer, July 7, 1881, p. 2 (subscription required).
- ^ "New Herdic Coaches: Rapid Transit and Cheap Fares for the People—New Cars, National Republican, March 11, 1881.
- ^ Kelly, John. "When a herd of herdics roamed D.C. streets." Washington, D.C.: The Washington Post, January 7, 2012.
- ^ Ryder, "The Herdic Coach."
- ^ "Something About the Herdics." Omaha, Nebraska: The Omaha Daily Bee, December 22, 1881, p. 6.
- ^ "State News." Augusta, Maine: Daily Kennebec Journal, October 27, 1885, p. 3.
- ^ "Peter Herdic's Immortality." Newport, Pennsylvania: The News, April 7, 1888, p. 2 (subscription required).
- ^ "Death of Millionaire Herdic." Gibson City, Illinois: Gibson City Courier, March 9, 1888, p. 2 (subscription required).
- ^ "Death of Peter Herdic." Kane, Pennsylvania: The Kane Leader, March 8, 1888, p. 3 (subscription required).
- ^ Death of Peter Herdic (death notice). Altoona, Pennsylvania: The Altoona Tribune, March 8, 1888, p. 4 (subscription required).
- ^ "Energetic Peter Herdic." Carlisle, Pennsylvania: The Evening Sentinel, January 2, 1888, front page (subscription required).
- ^ "The Cab System of the City—Its Completeness—Talk with a Manager—The 'Hansom' and the "Herdic,'" in "Washington Letter." Indianapolis, Indiana: The Indiana State Sentinel, November 18, 1885, p. 2.
- ^ "Fine Horses Once Gave Distinction to Capital." Washington, D.C.: Evening Star, March 31, 1935, p. F-2.
- ^ "Boston's Surviving Herdic" (article with photo and caption). Boston, Massachusetts: The Boston Globe, September 18, 1910, p. 60 (subscription required).