Walking Canes Are Not Just For Walking

Walking sticks and canes date back to prehistoric times – often believed to have a limited purpose of providing stability and protection. They were more often a representation of ones’ status in society and cultural. Walking sticks and canes fall into three categories: folk art, city sticks, and gadget canes (secret sticks).

Material used to make walking sticks and canes include porcelain, hand carved wood, ivory, glass, bakelite, ebony, wedgewood, narwhal tusk, and gems.

There is even an American National Cane Club that was founded in 1988. They serve to unite carvers of walking sticks and canes. One of the group’s projects is making canes for military veterans, www.caneclub.org.

Famous people that have used or been seen with walking sticks or canes include:  President George Washington, King Henry VII, Queen Victoria,  Napoleon Bonaparte, and King Tut.

Matter of fact, during the archeological study of the Egyptian Pharaoh, King Tutankhamun (King Tut)’s tomb, researchers found 130 walking sticks and canes inside!