NYC ephemera

I've been living in New York for three decades and I keep learning miscellaneous interesting stuff - I figured I should put some of it here.

Advertising

What are those strange ads you've been seeing around town?

• The story behind those subway ads about philosophy
• How about the "Keano" flyers with the freaky eye?
• Dan Smith Will Teach You Guitar
• Etti-Cat was the adorable representative of Subway etiquette in the 60s

Nature

Explore the trees around you with the NYC Tree Map! If animals excite you more, you might be interested to know there's a (somewhat defunct) Squirrel Census. The city's fungus is studied by the New York Mycological Society, which once counted composer John Cage as a member.

Weird history

• The pilot who landed on 191st street
• The Subway Garnet - a giant gem discovered under 35th street by a worker digging a sewer tunnel

Spaces and places

• The Last Chess Shop in New York City - about Chess Forum in Greenwich Village