Why Do Taxis Have Checkerboard Patterns? The Surprising Story Behind the Iconic Design
While hailing a taxi in Istanbul, your eyes have surely been drawn to those small squares. Some of us perceive it as an aesthetic detail, while others don't even question it due to familiarity. However, the truth of the matter is far from that. The origin of this pattern dates back to the 1920s in America, and the reason for its emergence is quite intriguing.
Let's delve into the grand tale of this small detail together.
You know those squares you see in public transportation vehicles like taxis, minibuses, and buses? Turns out, they weren't just placed there for visual appeal!
The narrative transports us back to the America of the 1920s. In those times, the taxi industry was a veritable wild west. Drivers were constantly at each other's throats, vying for passengers, with the situation occasionally escalating to outright violence. Moreover, the pricing was entirely arbitrary. In essence, there was neither order nor trust in sight...
At this very point, Checker Cab comes into play.
This company is making a significant difference by incorporating a checkered pattern onto their vehicles. The objective is to convey the message, 'We are a corporate entity, we are trustworthy, and we operate on the record.' And it's working. People are beginning to place more trust in these patterned vehicles.
So, how does this detail make its way to Turkey?
The trail leads back to America, once again. It was in the 1950s when American vehicles such as Cadillac and Chevrolet, which were used as taxis in Turkey, brought this checkerboard pattern along with them to the streets of Turkey. So, those squares we see today are actually an imported habit.
Back in those days, this pattern wasn't a requirement.
It was merely a detail used to distinguish commercial vehicles from personal ones. In fact, it was quite common to see taxis without a checkerboard pattern in Istanbul during the 80s.
However, the game changes in 2019.
With the decision of the UKOME, the checkered pattern becomes mandatory in yellow, turquoise, and black taxis and shared taxis in Istanbul. In other words, it's no longer merely a preference, but an official rule.
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