You know how just about every movie and television show that's ever taken place in New York City features quick shots of steam fuming out of manholes? 

That's because we in NYC use steam to heat and power a crazy amount of buildings and operations with steam. And our system is huge. 

According to Saumil Shukla, VP Steam Operations at Con Edison, "Part of the uniqueness of the New York steam system is that it's the largest in the world. If you took the next nine steam systems and added them together, New York's still the largest."

And it's been one of the special parts of NYC's infrastructure since the 1880s. Wallace Andrews built the first steam system in the City way back then. 

After the Blizzard of 1888 destroyed much of the above-ground wiring and what not, it was agreed upon to build an underground system that's grown to monstrous proportions as the City itself has expanded.

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Today, steam power helps to reduce emissions and make a greener city. 

Take a look at the video below. It goes inside Con Edison's giant steam system and explains much of the mystery behind those steam geysers we see all the time. 

Check out The Port Authority Bus Terminal Will Get a New $10 Billion Replacement.

[via New York Times]

[Feature Image Courtesy Slate]