1-155-542 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage Images

'Why Shouldn't Girton Rink, When Cambridge Rows?', 1876 Lady students from Girton College on the towpath waving to crews rowing on the river Cam. The first residential college for women was founded in October 1869 in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. It relocated to Girton, Cambridge, in October 1873 and became Girton College. In 1876 female students were still a novelty in Cambridge. A week earlier the Cambridge eight had won the annual Oxford and Cambridge boat race. In 1863 an American, James L Plimpton, patented a 4-wheeled roller-skate, the forerunner of today's skates, and it was not long before the lasting craze began in Britain. Cartoon from "Punch". (London, 15 April 1876).