Urban Myths

The Daily News lists some urban legends and their truths. The story Gothamist likes best is this one, about dropping coins from the Empire State Building:

Urban legend: Coins dropped from the top of the Empire State Building can kill pedestrians below or embed themselves in the pavement.

Real story: The aerodynamics of the skyscraper create a hefty updraft that blows any tossed pennies against the building; they generally land on the 86th-floor window ledges.

Thank God. We dropped a penny way back when we were 8 and have been worried ever since.

There may not be crocodiles in the sewer system, but there was an alligator in Queens recently.

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By Jen Chung in News on May 19, 2003 12:26 PM

Comments [rss]

Bethanie L

..... man .... what a way to go.. huh?

Mom

You're only six years old then. You're wearing that white sweater with the hood. Did it have a zipper? No worry, we have a photo.

MR

My buddy's office is on the 86th floor of that building. I need to ask him to look out the window!

Sam T

Not to mention, even without the updraft, the pennies would reach terminal velocity in about 2 seconds due to air resistance!

I like that 86th floor fact, though. What would be cool would be a picture out somebody's office window with pennies on the ledge!