Taxi Call Box in 1920s Milan

In the early 20th century, this type of taxi call box system might be considered the world's first Uber. And yes... it's a Fiat.

The word taxi can find its roots in the Medieval Latin word taxa, which means a tax or charge for a service.

In the 16th century, Philip of Burgundy tasked postmasters Franz von Taxis and Johann Baptiste von Taxis with instituting a fast and reliable postal service to move letters (but not people) throughout the countries of Europe. It's amazing to think that the word taxi is understood by most of the world's population--regardless of the language spoken--to mean a method of moving people from one place to another by car, motorcycle, rickshaw, bicycle or boat.

--GVI