23rd December

Joseph Hansom patented his famous 'safety cab' today in 1834. Not only did he create the best known image of the 19th century street scene, but he paved the way for that immortal line in Kenneth Horne's Beyond Our Ken on the radio (circa 1964) - 'My name is immaterial. Sir James Immaterial. And I am talking of a time when England was full of Hansom cabs and ugly furniture.'

They don't write them like that any more.

In other news ...
Vincent van Gogh cut off his earlobe today. The usual explanation for this is that

1. he was mad
2. he'd had a row with Paul Gaugin.

In fact, it all happened because he saw Gaugin's work and said, 'Paul, me ol' mucker, I'd give my right ear to be able to paint as good as like what you do.'

And of course, he was mad.