• Submit A Nut
KnowledgeNuts
ADVERTISEMENT
  • Home
  • Facts
  • Finance
  • Misconceptions
  • Differences
  • Bizarre
  • Other
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Facts
  • Finance
  • Misconceptions
  • Differences
  • Bizarre
  • Other
No Result
View All Result
KnowledgeNuts
No Result
View All Result
Home Facts

Mysterious Tiles Keep Popping Up Across The Western Hemisphere

Mysterious Tiles Keep Popping Up Across The Western Hemisphere
205
SHARES
1.6k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
“TOYNBEE IDEA / IN MOVIE 2001 / RESURRECT DEAD / ON PLANET JUPITER” —Toynbee Tiles

In A Nutshell

Since 1985, mysterious tiles have been showing up imbedded in streets across the United States and deep into South America. Made from linoleum, asphalt crack filler, tar paper, and glue, these tiles all bear a similar message—most read something along the lines of “TOYNBEE IDEA / IN MOVIE 2001 / RESURRECT DEAD / ON PLANET JUPITER.” Tiles are still appearing almost 30 years later, and still no one knows who’s laying them or what their cryptic messages mean.

The Whole Bushel

Related articles

Your Money’s New Ally: Public Banks and Their Advantages

September 25, 2023
From Loans to Lifestyle: How Bad Credit Can Impact Your Life

Gender and Finances: The Averages in Bank Account Balances

September 14, 2023

The Toynbee Tiles are about the size of a car’s license plate, and it’s estimated that somewhere around 450 have been imprinted into streets around the Western Hemisphere since 1985. They can be multi-colored or black and white, with block letters that become so deeply imprinted into the street that by the time they’re discovered, they can’t be removed. Who exactly was behind the original message remains a mystery, and it’s unknown whether or not they are still working, or if newer tiles are the work of numerous copycats.

The tiles are carved from pieces of linoleum that are then sandwiched between two pieces of tar paper and slathered with glue and asphalt crack filler. The tar paper hides the tiles from view; heat and pressure from passing traffic embeds them into the street by the time the tar paper wears away.

ADVERTISEMENT

Messages vary, but there are some common threads that are seen in many of the tiles. Quite a few refer to the name “Toynbee,” giving them their collective name. “Toynbee” is Arnold Toynbee, a 20th-century British historian and government consultant whose works are mainly concerned with the rhythm and common denominators found in the rise and fall of civilizations throughout history. He was also highly religious and held beliefs about the essentially good character of the human race that came through in his works and theories.

The film 2001: A Space Odyssey, Stanley Kubrick, and the planet Jupiter are also commonly mentioned, though it’s never been quite clear why or what their connection to Arnold Toynbee might be. Some people have drawn parallels between the themes of the two groups of works and the interpretation of Jupiter being a major part of 2001, but there’s nothing concrete or unconditionally accepted. Drawing concrete connections is made even more difficult by the extent to which Toynbee’s works as well as 2001 can be widely interpreted.

Many of the tiles were laid within a few hours’ drive of Philadelphia, especially recent tiles. Earlier tiles were far more widespread, found throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, and into the Midwest. There have also been tiles found in South America. The Midwestern tiles and the South American tiles are thought to be the work of the same individual; tiles in South America are written in Spanish, and a few Spanish tiles have shown up in America after the discovery of the ones south of the equator. The close proximity of recent tiles to Philadelphia suggests these are the work of a copycat.

Article Continued Below

For years, people have tried to figure out not just what the tiles mean, but who is behind them. And the story just gets weirder from there.

A journalist from the Philadelphia Inquirer named Clark DeLeon ran a story concerning a Philadelphia native named James Morasco. Morasco, the story said, was part of an underground organization called the Minority Association, whose goal was to see Earth’s dead resurrected on Jupiter.

Sound familiar?

The problem is that the original tiles continued to appear long after Morasco died. Additionally, he and his widow were both adamant that they know nothing about it and had nothing to do with the mysterious Minority Association. And there doesn’t seem to be any concrete evidence tying them to either the Association or the tiles.

Now it’s thought that there are several different tiling artists working in different areas and laying tiles in distinctly different styles. The originals (and their meaning) remain a mystery, though, and conclusive proof is looking less and less likely to be found with each passing year.

Show Me The Proof

The Phillyist: A Beginner’s Guide to Toynbee Tiles (Part I and Part II)
Resurrect Dead: FAQ
Arnold J. Toynbee: Biography
Featured image photo credit: MusikAnimal

Post Views: 1,713
Share82Tweet51
ADVERTISEMENT

Related Posts

Your Money’s New Ally: Public Banks and Their Advantages

by Knowledge Nuts
September 25, 2023
0

  Are you tired of high banking fees and hidden charges? Public banks, government-owned institutions focusing on community benefit over...

From Loans to Lifestyle: How Bad Credit Can Impact Your Life

Gender and Finances: The Averages in Bank Account Balances

by Knowledge Nuts
September 14, 2023
0

  Managing money can be a daunting task, regardless of who you are. Did you know that there is often...

Student Financial Aid Beyond Loans

Affordable Student Housing: Your Handbook

by Knowledge Nuts
September 14, 2023
0

Finding affordable student housing can be a daunting task for many. The "Affordable Student Housing: Your Handbook" is here to...

Your Mortgage Hack for Financial Freedom

Your Mortgage Hack for Financial Freedom

by Knowledge Nuts
September 8, 2023
0

Mortgage payments can feel like a burden that lasts forever. Did you know however, that it's possible to pay down...

An Easy Financial Aid Roadmap for College Funding

An Easy Financial Aid Roadmap for College Funding

by Knowledge Nuts
August 10, 2023
0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1266t2ee7CY Heading to college is exciting, but figuring out how to fund it can be overwhelming. With "NavigatingFinancial Aid: Your...

Load More
ADVERTISEMENT

Related Posts

Breaking Barriers: The Link Between Women’s Financial Success

Breaking Barriers: The Link Between Women’s Financial Success

September 27, 2023
Memorable Family Moments on a Budget

Memorable Family Moments on a Budget

September 26, 2023
Loan Approval 101: Best Practices for Getting Your Loan Approved

Loan Approval 101: Best Practices for Getting Your Loan Approved

September 26, 2023

KnowledgeNuts.com: Your go-to source for insightful information and financial guidance. Explore, learn, and empower your future with us.

Categories
  • Artist
  • Artwork
  • Attitude
  • Bizarre
  • Business
  • Creative Insight
  • Design
  • Differences
  • Facts
  • Finance
  • Forgotten
  • Forgotten Horrors
  • Innovation
  • Inspiration
  • Learning
  • Listicles
  • Market
  • Misconceptions
  • Other
  • Personal Finance Tips
  • Places
  • Thinking
  • Uncategorized
Tags
aid bad credit Business car insurance cash flow credit debt difference disability Education family Finance finances Financial Aid Financial freedom food government assistance Health healthcare help history home home loans housing how to make money how to save insurance Invest jobs loan loans make money Misconceptions Money myths personal finance plan quick cash saving money savings side hustle side hustles student student aid taxes
Lost your password?
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Mobile Privacy Policy
  • Mobile Terms & Conditions
  • SMS Opt-in

© KnowledgeNuts.com – A Division of Media Comms Networking.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Facts
  • Misconceptions
  • Differences
  • Finance
  • Bizarre

© 2023 KnowledgeNuts.com