Coaches
Posted by John W on June 29, 1998 at 23:04:42:
In response to traveling coaches, written by Teresa on June 29, 1998 at 14:39:56
Originally, coaches were not sprung at all. The body was hung from the frame with leather straps, hence the swaying which is a constant feature of descriptions of coach travel, and the only shock absorbtion was the stretch of the straps. If a strap broke, the whole body fell. The breakthrough was the ability to make C-form leaf-springs of tempered steel. These enabled coaches and carriages to be mounted and sprung with safety and comfort. Hence the fashion for curricles and high-perch phaetons which depended on this spring technology. Lorries depend on the same principle to this day.
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