Well, it never totally came to fruition, but at one time there was indeed a proof-of-concept pneumatic tube transit system beneath the streets (well, a street) of New York City which pre-dated the modern subway.

A big fan would blow the tube back and forth on Broadway between two street corners, in relative comfort.

However, as mentioned, its route was SHORT and the cost was $.25, which at the time, was really steep. I’m sure I have seen old newspaper clippings around this time advertising revolvers and top hats for about the same price.

Anyways, this email administrator at Columbia University, Joseph Brennan, has written this EXHAUSTIVE and RICHLY ILLUSTRATED “original web publication” on the Beach Pneumatic Tube which you just have to read to beleive. I get the impression that he originally intended this to be a book - its just a fantastic piece of well-attributed historical work for all to enjoy on the interwebs.

Even if you dont have the level of interest to digest all 26 pages, you must at the very least thumb through to see all the wonderful illustrations and photographs, which alone are worth the price of admission.

BTW, the navigation is a little kooky, but I will give you the hint that the hyperlinked graphics at the bottom of each page are indeed ‘previous ‘ and ‘next’.