Subway Token

07/05/23 • 33 min

2 Listeners

This week on "Undiscarded," join Tania and The Reliquary's Director of Outreach & Programming, Jacob Ford, as they uncover the history of the subway token and the transition into the digital realm. Discover the "SJD" token (which were the initials of one, Sylvester J. Dobosz), how these small, metallic discs transformed public transportation, and how the development of digital payment methods impact us today. From the challenges of digital hesitancy to the design choices at each step of the transit journey, dive into the intricacies of navigating a rapidly evolving transportation landscape.

Look at photos of this object and more at at: https://www.cityreliquary.org/undiscarded-subwaytoken

Learn more about the City Reliquary, its mission, and its collections at: cityreliquary.org

In the city or just visiting? Stop by the Reliquary any Saturday or Sunday, noon to 6pm, 370 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn 11211

Look at photos of this object and more at at: https://www.cityreliquary.org/undiscarded-subwaytoken

Learn more about the City Reliquary, its mission, and its collections at: cityreliquary.org

In the city or just visiting? Stop by the Reliquary any Saturday or Sunday, noon to 6pm, 370 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn 11211

Previous Episode

Newsstand

This week on Undiscarded, join Tania and The Reliquary’s founder, Dave Herman, as they unpack the history of Petrella’s Point, a newsstand like no other. Barnyard red amidst the concrete jungle, the humble yet mighty kiosk stood at the corner of Bowery and Canal for thirty years. Owner Adam Petrella delighted visitors with whimsy and charm, inviting them to take a seat as the guest of honor, engaging with them in lively conversations about Bruce Lee and the Pope, and even offering them his personally crafted guides to the city. As the fading tradition is uncovered, a truth emerges—the newsstand was more than just a reflection of culture, it played an active role in its creation.

Look at photos of this object and more at at: https://www.cityreliquary.org/undiscarded-newsstand/

Learn more about the City Reliquary, its mission, and its collections at: cityreliquary.org

In the city or just visiting? Stop by the Reliquary any Saturday or Sunday, noon to 6pm, 370 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn 11211

If you like Undiscarded, tune into The Brooklyn Public Library’s flagship podcast called Borrowed. Brooklyn has so many stories to tell, and a lot of them start at the library.

Next Episode

Very Old Shovel

In this week's "Undiscarded," rock out with Tania and geologist Nik Sokol as they excavate the history of New York City's underground. With a meaningful artifact in hand—a very old shovel, discovered by Nik during the rehabilitation of the New Croton Aqueduct—they discuss the work of past generations to bring water to millions of inhabitants. Unveiled are the invaluable contributions of immigrant laborers who built the enduring infrastructure that continues to sustain New York today.

Look at photos of this object and more at at: https://www.cityreliquary.org/undiscarded-veryoldshovel

Learn more about the City Reliquary, its mission, and its collections at: cityreliquary.org

In the city or just visiting? Stop by the Reliquary any Saturday or Sunday, noon to 6pm, 370 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn 11211