Amid the din of social network chatter about today's strike on the London underground, one could be forgiven for thinking this is the first time the capital's subterranean transport network has been hit by industrial action.
Such conclusions would be inaccurate, however. As this footage from British Pathé shows, London was hit by the closure of its underground service in 1962 – and the alternative transport means city dwellers turned to back then appear to have been far more ingenious.
While victims of today's walkout by members of the RMT union have turned to buses, boats and bikes, the 1962 vintage appear to have favoured clip-on roller skates, jogging in formal attire and packing seven people into the front of an open-topped car – complete with two "second-class passengers" in the boot.
"Traffic soon began to jam as the rush hours approached," explains the voiceover, and looking at the extent of the congestion then, it seems today's commuters got off lightly.
There was some good news for the 1962 Londoner, however. "Strictly for one day only, the motorist had the authorities on his side," the film explains.
"You could park almost anywhere," the voiceover adds – alien sentiments to anyone who has ever attempted to station a vehicle in the capital, strike or no strike, in recent times.
Of those who chose to avoid the car, a certain Mr Plummer makes a good case for the most eccentric mode of travel – wearing long anorak, hat and appearing to use his folded umbrella for propulsion, he is seen roller-skating into central London, skates strapped on to the soles of his smart black shoes.
However, perhaps the most bizarre, and also the healthiest, method of alternative commute seems to have been that employed by one Mr Huxley, who is seen cheerfully exiting his house sporting white vest, high-waisted white shorts, black brogues and a black bowler hat.
Carrying his briefcase in one hand, he merrily sets off to jog to the office, never averting his gaze from a copy of the Times clutched in the other.
