[title]
Sure, New York might have the dirtiest subways in America, but, since the naked eye can't see bacteria, let's appreciate the subway system for what it is: a stunning achievement of engineering. With over 659 miles of tracks, travelled by 6,366 cars carrying over 2 billion annual riders, New York's system deserves its place as an icon of the Big Apple. It's been around for over 110 years (here are the pictures to prove it), and to honor our favorite super-centenarian we delved into New York Public Library's archives to find early photos, postcards and illustrations. The images below show our favorite system's predecessor, the air-powered pneumatic subway tunnel, as well as the subway system's construction process and early years.
Photograph: Courtesy NYPL
Subway construction photo from 1901. Note the fancy hats.
Photograph: Courtesy NYPL
This picture is called "The Underground Tunneling Machine" (1872), but that machine appears to be sad laborers with a wheelbarrow.
Photograph: Courtesy NYPL
Construction site 33rd St and Fourth Ave, 1901
Photograph: Courtesy NYPL
Columbus Circle, 1901, lacking a looming Time Warner Center.
Photograph: Courtesy NYPL
Rendering of the rather luxurious pneumatic passenger car, 1872
Photograph: Courtesy NYPL
Broadway at 135th Street, 1901.
Photograph: Courtesy NYPL
The pneumatic subway tunnel (1872). It should be mentioned that it was only one city block long.
Photograph: Courtesy NYPL
Postcard of the City Hall Subway Station (1906). Look at all that opulence.
Photograph: Courtesy NYPL
Postcard of a Brooklyn subway tunnel, 1911. We're pretty sure it wasn't safe to stick your body out a moving vehicle in an enclosed space, even in those simpler times.