This Day in History: 1889-06-18

African American inventor William H. Richardson receives U.S. patent 405,600 for his invention of the reversible baby carriage. Richardson’s innovation ditched the existing shell shaped carrier for a basket-shaped carriage that was more symmetrical. The bassinet could be positioned to face either out or in and rotated on a central joint. A limiting device kept it from being rotated more than 90 degrees. The wheels also moved independently, which made it more maneuverable. Now a parent or nanny could have the child face them or face away from them, whichever they preferred, and change it at will. Learn more.