The Reality Reports

The Rise Of A Manufacturing City: Akron, Ohio earned the nickname “Rubber Capital of the World” because of its central role in rubber and tire production. In the late 1800s, Akron was a small but growing city with access to railroads, waterways, and nearby coal supplies. These factors made it an ideal location for manufacturing. As the automobile industry began to grow, the demand for tires increased quickly. Akron was ready to meet that need. Rubber companies moved in, bringing jobs, investment, and national attention to the city.

The Underground Movement Begins: Graffiti started in the 1960s when young people in New York City began writing their names on subway trains and building walls. These early artists, called writers, used spray paint and markers to claim their space in the urban landscape.  Most people saw this as vandalism and property damage. The city spent millions trying to remove tags and pieces from public surfaces.

The Forgotten Crisis That Shaped Modern America: The 1970s marked one of the darkest periods for America's inner cities. While suburban families enjoyed prosperity, urban neighborhoods faced complete collapse.  This decade witnessed the transformation of once thriving communities into symbols of urban decay that would define American cities for generations.