The term “limousine” is believed to have originated in the French region of Limousin. The word limousine is derived from the name of the French region, but it is not known how the name was transferred to the car. The word “limousine” was in common use in France long before the creation of the car that now bears that name. Limousines come in various sizes, but the traditional design of a large car with a long wheelbase has been preserved.
The limousine body style usually has a partition that separates the driver from the rear passenger compartment. This concept was taken from the old province of Limousin, which was full of farmland and shepherds. An alternative etymology speculates that some of the first drivers wore a limousine-style cape in the driver's open compartment, to protect themselves from inclement weather. In the 1970s, limousines were commonplace on the streets of Hollywood and in major cities such as New York and Washington DC, often driven by chauffeurs.
Around 1928, a coach company called Armbruster created an elastic limousine in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Airport shuttle services are often referred to as limousine services, although they often use minibuses. In theory, a limousine can be built on any chassis with a variety of seat designs and configurations. Large American car manufacturers, such as Cadillac and Lincoln, developed larger and more luxurious limousines that attracted the rich and famous, who saw in these large and flamboyant vehicles the ultimate symbol of status.
As time went on, limousines began to have a greater reputation for transporting rich and famous people, such as Hollywood stars and politicians. The first limousines for cars originated in 1902, less than two decades after the invention of the first practical car. The Stretch Limousine is an American-made limousine giant that gave rise to the culture of celebrations with big parties and multiple stops. Limousines have become an iconic symbol of luxury and status throughout history. From Hollywood stars to politicians, these large cars have been used to transport some of the most influential people in society. The term “limousine” originated in France and has been used for over a century to describe these luxurious vehicles.
