With hopes of reducing the cost of replacing shattered windows the MTA began to install shatter resistant windows. They were easily scratched. Soon thousands of names marred the windows of New York City subway cars. Scratchiti shares some things in common with graffiti, but is distinctly different. Scratchiti is much more loosely organized.
Participants range from students to people who are killing some time by scratching their names.
There are also those that are consistent and methodical in their efforts. RP3 and J ROC were kings of the F line in 1998. A broad range of tools are used in the implementation of scratchiti. Lava rocks, emery boards, knives and most commonly keys. Scratchiti is not much more well received by aerosol artists as it is by the general public.