Limousines: Past and Present. By Jason Green.

The history of the limousine takes a long journey back in time and most people are unaware that it can trace its roots to the early days of the world. People have been using escorted services since the early days and there is nothing that can not be taken away from this. The words "limousine" and "chauffeur" have been used since before the 20th Century when carriages and trains required professional drivers to manage horses and steam engines.

The limousine, like many things associated with opulence and style, originated in France.

The word limousine is derived from the name of the French region Limousin, and is associated with the long cloaks once worn by the shepherds there. Then, coach-builders in Paris began to call covered coaches limousine (some speculate the first coach-builder to do so was from Limousin). Wealthy passengers could sit under cover while a driver handled the horses.

A company called Armbruster built the first stretch limousine in 1928. They built the coach -- otherwise known as the compartment where the passengers sit -- specifically to transport larger groups of affluent people. While the limo isn't a specific model of car, several car companies created vehicles that are well-suited for limousine service. Early luxury cars included vehicles from LeBaron, Fleetwood, Willoughby, Derham and Fisher. Early Cadillacs also saw use as limousines. You could hire out practically any luxury automobile with a driver and call it a limousine.

What exactly is a limousine? For many people, the word "limousine" conjures up the image of an incredibly long luxury car with lots of dark-tinted windows. In general limousines are owned by wealthy people but in many cases governments, big companies and broadcasters to convey their top level politicians, executives and guests respectively also own it. While limousines were once a luxury enjoyed mainly by the extremely rich, today limousines along with chauffeured service include: corporate road shows, airport transportation, weddings, proms, bachelor[ette] parties, birthday events, city tours, shopping, a day at the spa, nights-on-the town, bar-hopping and clubbing, holiday parties, holiday light tours, transportation to or from a resort and cross-town transfers.

You maybe surprised at the amount of distinct stylish limousine types there are today. From the classic Luxury Sedan to the ultra trendy Supper Stretch Hummer, there is a limousine that will fit anyone personal taste. The main limo types are:

• Traditional
• Stretch
• Exotic custom limousines
• Party bus

Limousines can have many features:

• Professional chauffeur's
• TV - VCR - STEREO
• Passenger privacy window
• Cell phone
• Lighted bar with amenities
• Supple leather seating
• Hot Tub
• Sun Roofs

Limo hire services have become popular since people are able to enjoy the feeling of being in a very luxurious vehicle, enjoying the condiments provided in and out of the car as well as the warm friendliness of courteous chauffeurs. The most important is to remember before hiring a limousine, we strongly suggest you make yourself aware of the legal safety requirements and satisfy yourself that your limo hire operator complies in all respects.