Final answer:
The NYC subway is home to a diverse array of bacteria, which inspired artwork representing the microbial diversity of its commuters. Craig Ward's project showed this through bacterial 'portraits.' The subway's history is marked by its opening in 1904, following London's introduction of the world's first subway.
Step-by-step explanation:
The New York City subway system is not only a major transportation hub but also a site where various forms of bacterial life have been found. Through the project headed by Craig Ward for Science Friday, it was discovered that touching the handrails on the subway is akin to shaking hands with an untold number of people due to the amount of bacteria present. A unique approach to visualizing these microorganisms led to the creation of artwork that captures the microbial diversity represented by the commuters in New York City.
Additionally, as part of the celebrations for the opening of a major new subway line in 2017, public art installations were created by commissioned artists like Close. These artworks included large mosaics and ceramic tiles that aimed to reflect the diversity of the subway's ridership and added an interactive and tactile element to the stations.
Further historical context of the subway system is provided by references to the development of transportation in New York City, such as the introduction of electric streetcars and the significance of building underground railroads like the New York subway system, which opened in 1904 and was one of the firsts in the world after London's Metropolitan line.