Wired.com has a fascinating photo feature on the sanitation system that serves Roosevelt Island's 16 residential towers, which all rely on pneumatic tubes for their trash disposal. The system was installed 35 years ago and has a 40-year life expectancy, so Swedish contractors are constantly on the island unclogging jams and making repairs. "Trash zips through the pipes at an average of 30 mph, but it can reach speeds of 60 mph," writes Betsy Mason. But when the system grinds to a halt, it's time to send the Swedes crawling in. "The first time is scary," said a young Swedish pipe technician as he waited... for another Swede to come back from 50 feet down the pipe. "You get used to it." more ›

Wouldn’t be caught dead with a “latte” from Starbucks or a Coolata from Dunkin Donuts? Well, you haven’t reached the summit of coffee snobbery until you’ve had the self-proclaimed “ultimate” cup of coffee, expertly prepared by computers and pneumatic tubes at the Lower East Side’s Roasting Plant. Since opening last spring, business has been hopping at the sleek Orchard Street café; coffee aficionados are drawn back as much for the fresh coffee as for the experience of seeing it made. more ›