NYC interesting facts

INTERESTING FACTS

Where does name "Manhattan" come from?

The name Manhattan derives from the Lenape language 'manaháhtaan'.
A 1610 map depicts the name as Manna-hata, etymologies include "island of many hills", "the island where we all became intoxicated" or simply "island"

Why does the steam rise from the vents on the streets?

Almost as representative of New York City as skyscrapers—though probably not as iconic—are the plumes of steam rising from beneath the ground.
Con Edison operates the world’s largest network of underground steam pipes. The network runs 105 miles, delivering steam to buildings throughout the city. The company has five power plants throughout New York, where massive boilers produce steam that gets carried out of the plants, beneath the ground.
It’s vapor from when water, or other sources of liquid, falls onto the pipes and evaporates. (Remember, there is 350-degree steam traveling through those pipes)
A network of steam pipes isn’t unique to NYC, but its sheer size is pretty extraordinary. It’s bigger than the next nine largest steam systems combined

Why there is garbage on the streets of NYC?

In 1811 city was planned in a "grid" which created regular pattern of of streets divided into even lots (25 by 100 ft.) Each lot would align with the neighbors with no room for carriageways or service alleys to allow for bigger lots.
As a side effect for the lack of space between alleys, there is no place to put garbage, but on the street...

When did the fire escapes become a part of NYC streetscape?

In 1867 the legislature passed the Tenement House Act which mandated improvements to the tenements which included mandatory fire escapes.
It gave apartments 2 exits: through the front door and through the fire escape.

What are those wooden cisterns on top of the buildings?

They are - water towers
As buildings grew taller than 6 stories, the main water infrastructure couldn’t handle the water pressure. Water towers were needed to move water safely to the 7th floor and above.
Most structures taller than six stories need some sort of water tower and pump system of their own.
Water is fed to buildings through pipes in the basement.
Electric pumps push the water from the basement to roof.
They are still very much in use today.
About 15,000 buildings still use this system today.

NYC is located on the same latitude as Madrid, Yerevan, Baku

NYC was the first capital of the USA

It was the capital from 1785 to 1790, before moving to a temporary location in Philadelphia

On a clear day the Empire State Building offers 80 miles of visibility

It allows to see 5 states: New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Pennsylvania

The concept of modern shopping was invented in New York by A.T. Steward

The concept of shopping didn't exist until 1820
A.T Steward started selling ready-to-wear merchandize
He displayed merchandize throughout the store and in the windows
Each item had a price tag
He invented the concept of "sale"
The first "department store" was opened in 1846 and was made out of marble, thus called "the Marble Palace" (Chambers and Broadway)

The first act of civil disobedience in NYC - Astor Place Riots

Astor Place Opera house opened in 1847 and was a subscription-only theater for the city elites.
In 1849 British actor William Macready was performing Macbeth in Astor Place Opera House while Amierican Edwin Forrest was playing the same role at the Bowery theater downtown.
Artistic rivalry turned political, aka England vs America and wealthy vs working class, and ended with a riot. A crowd of over 10,000 people gathered in front of the theater equipped with stones. The first time in American history a military unit was asked to control the crowd in peacetime.
Many people were injured and 18 had been killed

Multiple uses of Castle Garden

The structure was built as a fortification for the War of 1812 and was called Castle Clinton
From 1824 it was used as concert venue with Jenny Lint, a Swedish Soprano, as the most famous performer brought over to the US by Barnum
In 1855 the Castle Garden changed its function to become an Emigrant Landing Depot, America's first immigration processing station
It operated for 34 years, processing 8 million immigrants
By 1889 the Federal government assumed the role of processing immigrants and changed its processing center to Ellis Island.
Castle Garden was turned into City Aquarium which was functioning until 1942
Now, it serves as a ticketing office for the Statue of Liberty

Katzs Delicatessen

In 1888, a small deli by the name of Iceland Brothers was established on Ludlow Street in New York’s Lower East Side by the Iceland brothers. Upon the arrival of Willy Katz in 1903, the name of the store was officially changed to "Iceland & Katz". Willy’s cousin Benny joined him in 1910, buying out the Iceland brothers to officially form Katz’s Delicatessen.
In the early part of the twentieth century, the Lower East Side was home to millions of newly immigrated families. This, along with the lack of public and private transportation, forged a solid community such that Katz’s became a focal point for congregating. On Fridays the neighborhood turned out to enjoy franks and beans, a Katz tradition.
During World War II, the three sons of the owners were all serving their country in the armed forces, and the family tradition of sending food to their sons became the company slogan “Send A Salami To Your Boy In The Army”
During World War II, Katz's encouraged parents to "Send a salami to your boy in the army" which became one of the deli's noted catch phrases. It is referenced in the Tom Lehrer song "So Long Mom (A Song for World War III)", in the lyric: "Remember Mommy, I'm off to get a Commie, so send me a salami, and try to smile somehow". Katz's continues to support American troops today: the deli has arranged special international shipping for U.S. military addresses only and has been a source of gift packages to the troops stationed in Afghanistan and Iraq
Pastrami is meant to be eaten with mustard.
They make their own mustard. It’s spicy, deli brown mustard that is so phenomenal and pairs so well with pastrami and corned beef, and with knishes and hot dogs
Rye bread is the best tried and true complement to a traditional deli sandwich
The world’s second best latke (your first should be made by a family member). The latkes are based on an old family recipe: The potatoes are chopped, not grated, with a nice amount of potato inside, and they’re crispy outside
Don't loose the ticket! You might be fined if you do
There isn’t one line; each counter has its own, so there are as many as seven lines

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