Running board

[2] The German "Trittbrettfahrer" (riding on the running board) now has the proverbial meaning "free-rider (non-paying users)".The term also applied to the walkways on top of railway/railroad boxcars.

[citation needed] The necessity of using them was caused by the fact that first cars were designed with a narrow, high body bolted to the chassis.

Most roads were unpaved and tall narrow wheels and tires were needed to get through the ruts, mud, and snow.

The first automobile designed without running boards was the 1929 Ruxton,[4] and the first by a high production manufacturer was the 1936 Cord.

[5] Common materials for running boards include aluminum, fiberglass, stainless steel and ABS plastic.