The Early Days of Canes
The first canes were actually sticks or tree branches cut to size. They were used for balance and stability while walking or climbing across tricky terrain and as a weapon for defense and for hunting. Cane handles had not yet been invented, likely because they served no purpose for these early multipurpose sticks.
Handles are Introduced
The multipurpose stick described above eventually evolved into what is known today as a "tourist" cane, with the stick bent into a crook at the top to serve as a handle. Tourist canes were used to support the elderly and injured when traveling, allowing them to keep up and not tire so easily. These canes were made from bamboo or other soft materials that bent easily when steamed and kept their shape when cooled. In fact, the word "cane" comes from ancient times when canes were made of bamboo and other rattans from the cane family.
A Statement of Fashion and Prestige
Ancient walking canes from Egypt were often carved with elaborate decorations, with their handle design dictating their status in Egyptian society. Egyptians even buried these canes alongside the deceased to help them walk to the next life and to identify them within their society in the afterlife.
Handles became more elaborately decorated and were for many the equivalent of jewelry in today's society from the 16th through 19th centuries, when canes were considered a reflection of wealth and status in addition to a walking aide. Handles were fashioned thicker for men's hands and thinner for the ladies.
Ergonomic Walking Canes
The handle has since evolved to become increasingly ergonomic, and the cane itself is crafted for use in walking and support rather than glitz and glamour. Walking cane handles of today are contoured specifically for use by lefties and those who use their right hands to ambulate. Canes are designed to fold for ease and many have multiple prongs at the base for additional stability.
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