Graffiti, as we know it, began around the 1960s. It started when teens all over NYC started to compete for whoever can write their name in the most places. Taki 183 is a famous example and is arguably the person who started this race to fame. This race led to an enormous amount of graffiti splattered across the public transportation system. Trains with their exteriors covered in graffiti was a common thing.

Throughout the 80s, there was an increase in the amount of regulation and security to prevent vandalization, specifically graffiti. That’s when graffiti began to die and trains were being replaced. Today, you don’t see that many trains decorated with graffiti.

Today, there are specific places dedicated for graffiti. There are many murals throughout NYC. Click below for a site where they list the “Top 10 Murals” in NYC.
Top 10 Murals in NYC