Walking canes in the history of USA, primarily in the northern part of America, has made a remarkable impact during the 18th century. The American walking cane is an arched-peak stick like that of a Moses’, a shepherd’s staff, but a bit smaller yet heavier. It is usually made of wood or metal, despite the fact that it is called as “cane” yet the material it is made of is not that of the original one. Eventually, walking canes were adapted by the Americans as the Europeans substituted their swords with a walking stick as their new weapon and that in the long run changes the course of their wardrobe fashion. During the 17th and 18th century, a new accessory was added to the Europeans way of wearing themselves. The walking stick, which was an authoritative unbending rod, became part of their clothing. So as the Americans took interest in having such accessory in their society, remarkable U.S Presidents were able to acquire it themselves and called it as walking canes instead. Many of them received the walking cane as a gift and this embarked the symbol for a social and political position in the society. The walking canes by then were embellished with gemstones and polished with translucent and genuine gold plating. So its quality defines the owner’s richness and title in the society.

Before the significant breakthrough of walking cane to its vast purpose and designs, a notable event happened in 1856 in the verge of the political conflicts of America. Preston Brooks undeniably beat Senator Charles Sumner with his wooden walking cane as the latter insulted and humiliated two other senators, one of which is related to the former. This event then open the eyes of the public to not just use the walking cane as a fashionable accessory but also as a support and an aid for walking mobility and even as weapon again any threat.

So nowadays, most of the walking canes are used to help support the fragile or agonizing limb of a person, and even for hastening the steps of the old ones, for them not to get out of balance and not to get tired easily. Health purposes of walking cane have been the main use of it in recent times, but it does not mean that it sticks to it. As the demand for walking canes increases, manufacturers drastically evolved the walking canes into different types, designs, and colors. From a very simple yet heavy walking cane, the evolution ended up in having an adjustable and luxurious yet lightweight walking cane. Replaceable handle and tip for the walking cane are also made available. Not only that, differing tip types come into place, like having a single tip, a triple tip, or a quadrupled one.

The walking cane has evolved through time and that evolution will not stop from what it is today. All in all, walking canes don’t only come out to secure safety and durability but also with fashion and elegance.