This'll put some spring in your step... and a tune in your ears.
Currently, New York City subway riders hear an annoyingly high-pitched "beep" sound every time they swipe their metrocards at a turnstile. But former LCD Soundsystem frontman James Murphy wants to change that.
In place of the existing beeps, Murphy wants New Yorkers to hear a "hopping" little melody when they enter the subway:
Murphy has been trying to get the city to install music-making turnstiles for almost 20 years, and it looks like things are starting to come together. With backing from Heineken, he's already made some test turnstiles and hopes to install them in stations this summer, the New York Times reports.
“I believe that music makes people happy, and it can make them reflective,” he says in a video for the project, adding, "The turnstile has to make a sound. It might as well be beautiful.”
If fully incorporated, the musical turnstiles would blend to play a melody unique to each subway stop. Travelers would start to associate every stop with a special little jingle that helps them mentally map where they are.
Sounds like the best map hack we've ever heard. Cheers!
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