How was the street name derived and what is history behind this contorted line going down Manhattan?

The street derives its name from the fact that it was originally a cow path, used by farmers to drive their cattle to market in the early 18th century. The path gradually became wider and more established, and in 1807 it was officially named Broadway, as it led to the broad way to the Hudson River.

As for the contorted line, this is due to the way in which the street was laid out. The early farmers followed the natural contours of the land, which resulted in a winding and uneven path. As the street was expanded and straightened over the years, it retained some of its original meandering shape, resulting in the contorted line we see today.