The first kind of stroller to emerge was the pram or baby carriage. It was developed in 1733 by William Kent. It was big actually so big that it had to be dragged by a small pony or goat. They were too expensive for normal people of that time and only wealthy people could afford to get a pram.
In the 1830s Benjamin Potter Crandall started to sell the first baby carriages in America and they quickly became popular amongst people who could afford them. They were hand built from heavy wood and brass which made them very beautiful but also fairly expensive.
In the beginning of the 20 century the baby carriage became more available to the general population. They were now produced in factories and built from modern materials. This made them cheap and affordable for normal families.
With newer designs and educated engineers supervising the production and design, the baby carriages became safe, lighter and easier to use. Such things we take for granted today like brakes and big wheels were now added to the baby carriages.
It was in 1965 the first real stroller appeared on the market. It was Owen Maclaren who after receiving complaints from his daughter about the heavy baby carriage, he developed the umbrella stroller. By using an aluminum frame he could keep the weight down but still make a durable stroller.
Today we rarely see any baby carriages. They are too heavy and cumbersome. Instead the modern stroller has taken over, with the ability to recline the seat it can function as a baby carriage when the child is young and be turned into stroller as the child gets older and bigger.
There are many different models of strollers available today. Travel systems, jogging strollers and double strollers just to name a few. For new parents this often seems overwhelming but to know what one's own needs are, choosing a stroller shouldn't be difficult.
The travel system combines the baby carriage and the stroller. The seat is removable and can be switched out with a bassinet to transform the stroller into a baby carriage. The seat can often also be exchanged with a car seat allowing the baby to be moved from the car to the stroller without disturbing it too much.
The jogging stroller is a more modern model. It is a light stroller with big wheels. It is as the name implies designed for jogging or running. Its big wheels make the stroller stable and easy to push over more difficult terrain. It has become more popular amongst most people for its light weight and maneuverability.
The double stroller is another popular stroller for families with multiple children. It works great for those with twins and children of different ages. Being able to have two kids in the same stroller makes life easier for parents compared to having two strollers to push.
Strollers are overall a great invention giving parents some relief from carrying around the babies all the time. On the other hand carrying one's child brings more physical closeness and comfort to the baby, so don't forget to hold your child close to you from time to time.
