NYC taxis were primarily red and green before becoming yellow.
Early History
The first metered taxis arrived in New York City in 1907, imported from France by Harry Allen; these gasoline-powered cabs were painted red and green. Different companies soon used varied colors like brown and white, black, red, or checkered patterns to stand out amid fierce competition.
Shift to Yellow
Yellow gained traction around 1909 with the Yellow Taxicab Company, founded by Albert Rockwell, due to its high visibility. It was not mandated until 1967-1968, when city law required all licensed medallion taxis to be yellow to distinguish them from unregulated livery cabs.
