Around the 17th or 18th century, a stout rigid stick took over from the sword as an essential part of the European gentleman's wardrobe, used primarily as a walking stick. In addition to its value as a decorative accessory, it also continued to fulfil some of the function of the sword as a weapon.
The word "cane" derives from the Latin canna, meaning a reed or hollow stem, which in turn came from the Greek kanna.
The word "cane" derives from the Latin canna, meaning a reed or hollow stem, which in turn came from the Greek kanna.
Below is a collection of various styles of walking sticks on display at the ethnology museum Els Calderers rural manor, Sant Joan, Mallorca
During a contentious White House meeting about patronage appointments for customs officers in the Northeast, Treasury Secretary William H. Crawford became so angry at President James Monroe that he began whipping his cane at the President, forcing Monroe to use fireplace tongs to defend himself.
King Louis XIV of France was famous for his ornate collection of canes and is credited with helping popularise them as a fashion accessory at the French court, where courtiers would carry highly decorated walking sticks as a mark of status.
The Whangee is an Asian cane made of bamboo, which is also used as a riding crop. Such a stick was owned by Charlie Chaplin's character The Tramp.
In the 19th century, so-called "system canes" became popular — hollow walking sticks that concealed hidden compartments containing items such as flasks of liquor, telescopes, compasses, or even concealed swords and pistols inside them.
The idea of a fancy cane as a fashion accessory to go with top hat and tails has been popularized in many song-and-dance acts, especially by Fred Astaire in several of his films and in the song "Top Hat, White Tie and Tails."
King Louis XIV of France was famous for his ornate collection of canes and is credited with helping popularise them as a fashion accessory at the French court, where courtiers would carry highly decorated walking sticks as a mark of status.
The Whangee is an Asian cane made of bamboo, which is also used as a riding crop. Such a stick was owned by Charlie Chaplin's character The Tramp.
In the 19th century, so-called "system canes" became popular — hollow walking sticks that concealed hidden compartments containing items such as flasks of liquor, telescopes, compasses, or even concealed swords and pistols inside them.
The idea of a fancy cane as a fashion accessory to go with top hat and tails has been popularized in many song-and-dance acts, especially by Fred Astaire in several of his films and in the song "Top Hat, White Tie and Tails."
The white cane as an international symbol for blind and visually impaired people was formalised during the 1930s. A campaign in France launched by Guilly d'Herbemont in 1930 popularised the white cane specifically for those with visual disability.
Nordic walking (ski walking) poles are extremely popular in Europe. Walking with two poles in the correct length radically reduces the stress to the knees, hips and back.
In Idaho walking along the street with a red-tipped cane is strictly prohibited.
Contrary to popular belief, canes aren't meant to be used on the same side as your injury. While it seems logical to want to support the injured leg, you are actually meant to walk with the cane opposite your bad leg as to lean your weight away from the injury (rather than against) the bad leg.
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