Walking in a winter wonderland

David Rooney, Curator of Transport — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 11:24:47 +0000

As we navigate our way through the festive season, and possibly eat and drink a little more than is wise, it is always worth remembering the most basic transportation device of all: Shank’s pony, or going for a walk.

Maybe you’re a sporty type like these two, full of energy and ready to bound out of the house for a good stride across the countryside…

'Hiking' railway poster, c.1930s (NRM / Pictorial Collection / Science & Society)

You can even keep count of your paces as you march along using a pedometer…

Pedometer, eighteenth century (Science Museum / Science & Society)

But if that’s not sporty enough for you, you could always try wing-walking…

Mr Hearns wing-walking on an Avro 504K biplane, 1932 (Simmons Aerofilms / Science & Society)

This fearless chap is wing-walking on an Avro 504K biplane. You can see one of these aircraft suspended from the ceiling of our Making the Modern World gallery, but I wouldn’t try climbing onto the wing if I were you…

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Walking in a winter wonderland