UberCab

UberCab was the original name of the ride-sharing company that eventually became known as Uber. Founded in 2009 by Travis Kalanick and Garrett Camp, the company's initial concept was to provide a premium, on-demand black car service. The name "UberCab" reflected this initial vision of a high-end taxi alternative. Users could request a car through a mobile app and track its arrival in real-time.

The service launched in San Francisco in 2010, offering a more sophisticated and user-friendly experience than traditional taxi services. Early adopters appreciated the convenience, predictable pricing, and the ability to pay electronically. The company quickly gained traction, and its service area began to expand.

However, the name "UberCab" was short-lived. The company faced legal challenges and branding concerns related to the word "cab," which is often associated with regulated taxi services. To distance itself from the taxi industry and to broaden its appeal beyond just a car service, the company rebranded to simply "Uber" in 2011. This change allowed Uber to expand its service offerings beyond premium cars to include more affordable options and to aggressively pursue global expansion without the direct connotations of the word "cab." The legacy of UberCab, however, marks the foundational steps of what would become a global transportation giant.