Engraving of a Typical Early-Georgian "Flying Machine" Coach

Country: United States Source: Bodin Collection Approx. Date: Unknown Photographer: Unknown Pictured is an engraved illustration for an early-Georgian "flying machine" carriage. These carriages earned their nickname due to being the quickest option of transportation of their time and giving passengers the impression that they were flying. In the coach depicted here, six passengers comfortably sitting inside while the coachman whips the horses to move faster.  The concept of “The Flying Machine” or more aptly called as “Flying Coaches” started as early as the 1600s in the streets of London. These carriages were designed to carry a maximum of six passengers including the coachmen; however, the coaches were often overcrowded with passengers. The "flying machine" coaches were often called such due to the high velocity that they traveled at during the seventeenth century: it was unthinkable that a journey of 105 miles could be completed in the span of 3 days. From the collection of Fred B