Strange, cryptic messages painted in rectangular linoleum tiles have been appearing in dozens of cities in the United States and South America. These tiles are referred to as ‘Toynbee Tiles’ because most of them refer to the historian Arnold J. Toynbee. Other texts are political statements and tirades against society and culture. The identity of their creator or the purpose of this exercise is unknown. The tiles are wrapped in tar paper and placed on busy streets. As vehicles drive over the tiles, they are pressed into the road surface, while the tar paper wears off. Dozens of websites dedicated to this, hope to unravel the mystery.
Toynbee Tiles
