Why Yellow?
In 1915, Chicago entrepreneur John Hertz (of future rental-car-company fame) opened the first Yellow Cab Company in his city. To unify his fleet, Hertz had commissioned a local university study to “scientifically ascertain which color would stand out strongest at a distance,” per his biographer—and yellow won. With a consistent color and make, “official” taxicabs signal to wary riders that they’re duly regulated by city government.
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So tell me...
Have you ever visited NYC and ridden in a yellow (or green or car service) taxi cab?
Does your city have a yellow cab service as well?
Did you find the drivers are crazy drivers, or that it's the only way to get around all the traffic?
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Taxicabs of New York City
I have actually never been to NYC or ridden in a taxi cab. However, my dad use to be a taxi cab driver in Iowa. His was a white van.
ReplyDeleteVisiting you from Christian Women Blogs FB group.
I love taking taxis in other cities and areas. In St. Maarten we had a guy running a bus around the island, and it was just a white van that people hailed. I love it! Plus you get all the insider tips on where to go and what to avoid when talking with locals :)
DeleteI go to NYC quite a bit (and lived there for 4 years after college) so I've been in taxis a lot. Honestly they tend to scare me so I try to stick to the subway!
ReplyDeleteHaha! I guess since I married an intense NYC driver, I'm more immune to it. But, then again, not many people are so I understand the terror!
DeleteHow cool is this!?! Love your history behind the yellow cab - and I didn't know it was Hertz. (ah yes, another fact that's going to be floating around my brain, just waiting for the perfect moment to pop up. hahah)
ReplyDeleteI was a teenager the last time I was in NYC, so it's on my bucket-list. I'll add a yellow-cab to the experience. BTW - I already know which hotel I want to stay in - It's called the Library Hotel - each floor is dedicated to a different Dewey Decimal. (travel floor, crime floor, etc.) and in each room on each floor, there are books from that genre! Ah, New York!
I was shocked to learn it too! Guess it'll come up in Jeopardy or Trivial Pursuit at some point. That hotel sounds amazing! I've only ever stayed in one hotel this past March (late valentines day outting) and it was pretty unique- but not like that :)
DeleteI love the history behind the yellow cab. I have been in my fair share of them! I have to say that while it's kind of impressive that they can drive like maniacs and keep everyone alive, I'd rather walk 800 city blocks (okay, that's a wee bit of an exaggeration, but I'd still rather walk).
ReplyDeleteHaha you and most everyone else it seems! I enjoy it in the summer, at least you get a breeze right?
DeleteHaha I always wondered why they were yellow! The cans in Baltimore are all different colors. There are a lot of purple ones. For the Ravens maybe?!?
ReplyDeleteI guess? But I have seen purple in other cities as well (small ones included) so maybe that is just another eye-catching color as well? Whatever the reason, a little local pride sounds nice!
Deletelet's see - i live in NYC - the last time i took a cab - it was a long time ago
ReplyDeleteIf you live here, it's easy to not do a lot of things! I only really take yellow cabs when we bring people here to visit, otherwise I use a car service for other things (running late to church, bringing dinner to family, etc)
DeleteI have never been to NYC, and only been on a taxi ride once!
ReplyDeleteIf I remember correctly (not sure when was the last time I saw one) we have yellow and green in Houston. At the new city I moved to, I haven't seen a taxi just yet.
If it is a bright color, it seems to work! I do know that people who purchase a retired taxi are required to paint it a different color, as it is patented (? reserved?) for taxis only. But not sure how that works when other cities do it, perhaps a shade or two lighter/darker? Huh.
DeleteA unique and interesting post Farin. I had to chuckle that folks are excited about riding a yellow cab, just goes to show you what some take for granted, others may treasure.
ReplyDeleteHaha yes, its similar to New Yorkers, excited to ride a horse or (as my husband did) pull off the side of a road to pet a pony through the fence. And, whenever we bring out inlaws to the country we pull over if the pony is at the fence for them to pet it. It's the simple things :)
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