Something Mysterious Has Been Appearing On Pennsylvania Streets For More Than 30 Years

You may have spotted them before, or stepped over them without even noticing. About the size of a license plate, they can easily blend in with the storm drains and manhole covers in the streets. These bizarre tiles have been appearing on streets, not only in Pennsylvania, but throughout 26 major American cities and some cities in South America since the first one was spotted in Philadelphia in 1982.

Most repeat a similar message. Cryptic, it reads “TOYNBEE IDEA IN KUBRICK’S 2001 MOVIE RESURRECT DEAD ON PLANET JUPITER.” Though the tiles have been discovered across the Americas, the greatest number exist in Philadelphia. This, and the fact that a tile discovered in Santiago, Chile bears a Philadelphia street address, have led some to believe the tiles’ creator is from Philadelphia.

george1001/ Flickr

Here's a tile on 15th & Chestnut Streets in Philadelphia. Since Chestnut Street was repaved, many of Philadelphia's tiles have been lost; though, Philadelphia has declared them public art and aims to preserve at least a few.

Wikimedia Commons

Here's another Philadelphia tile, this one on Avenue of the Arts.

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Here's one on Forbes & Ross Streets in Pittsburgh. As you can see, time and pressure from cars and pedestrians slowly destroys the tiles. Who would go to such great lengths to install these in major cities across the western hemisphere? They are nonsensical, yet their consistent message indicates their creator really wants to get an idea out there.

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Matt/ Flickr

Here is a tile in St. Louis, Missouri. People who have spent time investigating this titillating issue have come up with theories about the origin of these tiles, but none have been substantiated as fact. At this point, investigators are pretty certain that the creator lives or lived in Philadelphia, and that's about it.

A full-length documentary called “Resurrect Dead: The Mystery of the Toynbee Tiles” follows filmmakers Justin Duerr, Jon Foy, Colin Smith, and Steve Weinik on a six-year journey to learn as much as they can about the tiles. What they discover is astounding.

Have you ever come across one of these weird tiles? Do you think they’re significant? Share your thoughts below.