History of hitchhiking
The history of hitchhiking might be as old as the invention of the wheel.
Contents
1970s
In the 1970s hitchhiking was much more popular in affluent countries than these days.
1980s
In the 1980s hitchhiking experienced a clear decline in affluent countries in Western Europe and North America, perhaps due to the selfish spirit of capitalism, or fear promoted through scaremongering from the media.
It remained relatively easy in the countries of Eastern Europe as fear of crime was much lower and a sharing spirit promoted neighbourliness. Rates of car ownership were lower than Western Europe a decade before.
2000s
In 2006 the domain name hitchwiki.org was registered. The wiki that was moved there had been started a bit before. In a couple of years the site grew to the biggest resource of hitchhiking information.
- See also Hitchwiki:About.
More information
- How sticking your thumb out became a universal gesture for hitchhiking.
- Thumbin' It: The Evolution of Hitchhiking
- The Art of Hitchhiking by Hugh Hardyman, The New Republic July 29, 1931
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