Hat box collapsible version for evenings, known as a gibus. They might also include storage space for items such as a hat brush. Designs became quite large during the Victorian era. A letter to "The Times" in 1844 warned travellers that Blackwall Railway's porters had charged a 1d to carry a hat box onto the train and a further 6d for transporting it to the London terminus, with the traveller himself paying only 4d for the journey. He recommended that travellers with luggage should go by steamboat. While traditionally hat boxes are circular or square in shape, some versions may follow the
Top Hat as early as 1915. There ensued a lifelong friendship with Berlin contributing to more Astaire films (six in total) than any other composer. Of his experience with Astaire in "Top Hat" Berlin wrote: "He's a real inspiration for a writer. I'd never have written "Top Hat" without him. He makes you feel so secure." As Berlin could not read or write music, and could only pick out tunes on a specially designed piano that transposed keys automatically, he required an assistant to make up his piano parts. Hal Borne – Astaire's rehearsal pianist – performed this role in "Top Hat"