Step 1 : Introduction to the question "What color were NYC taxis before they were yellow?"
...Long before yellow became the color of New York City taxis, early 20th-century cabs were painted red with green trim. These distinctive colors were used by the New York Taxicab Company, which introduced gas-powered French automobiles to the city in 1907. As more operators joined the rapidly growing industry, yellow rose to dominance—thanks largely to John Hertz, who chose the color because it was the most visible from a distance. Over time, yellow became standardized and the classic red and green color scheme faded into history.
