A carriage is a vehicle for human transport, with the comfort of springs, and drawn by horses or other animals.

In Europe the system of springs developed in the 16th century, when the body of a cart was separated from the axles and was hung in leather straps. It was said that the Hungarian town of Koczi gave its name to this comfortable vehicle. The wagon of Koczi became popular in Europe as  Kutsche, Koets, Coach, Coche et cetera. The luxury of springs facilitated travelling and from then on various types of carriages were built.

For long distance travels the hooded cart was replaced by carriages with a roof, later with a closed cabin with doors and windows. The berlin is a well known example. For ceremonial processions decoration was more important. Lavishly ornamented heavy carosses were built for Kings, princes and bishops. And then there were the simpler vehicles, often named after their function or shape. The chaise was a chair on wheels, the open body of a calèche resembled a chalice.

When the technique of forging iron developed after 1800, steel blades replaced the leather springs. Industrially produced springs, axles and other metal parts improved the quality of the carriages. Moreover, it was possible to lower the production costs and to develop numerous different models based on standard parts. Every local cartwright could design his own coach.

The 19th century was the Golden Age of the carriage. Governments builded paved roads and stimulated traffic. The Industrial Revolution stimulated the wealth of the middle classes and they bought thousands of carriages. Carriage factories were founded in many countries. They published catalogues, were present at industry exhibitions and shipped their products world wide. Cartwrights became industrialists.

Around 1900, the 'Belle Epoque', European carriages were omnipresent due to the Industrial Revolution and European imperialism. But then the motorised horse powers replaced the animals. Numerous carriage builders tried to survive by building their cabriolets, breaks and coupé's as motor cars. But just a single one succeeded. Carriage factories closed, cartwrights started garages and fuelling stations.

Carriages have become antiquities, and nowadays only one type is still in development: the marathon sport wagon.