The London Tube map is one of the most
iconic designs in the world; it
continued
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was able
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created by Henry Beck
an engineering craftsman who worked at the London
Underground signals office. Beck thought the old Tube map
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too complicated
he believed passengers
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were
not concerned about geographical accuracy.
They only cared about finding their way out of one station and into the next
connection. Beck
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he could come up with a better design so he outlined a
new map for the tube. Beck prioritized highlighting the subway system instead
of accurately depicting distances; he applied his engineering background and
faced the new map on the schematic diagrams he
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were
accustomed to drawing
during his career. Wires and electrical components
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replaced with tube lines
and stations Beck removed curves and added diagonals verticals and
horizontals to his new map. He also
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geographical details above
ground instead he only showed relative positions of the stations their
connections and fair zones. By ignoring accurate distances Beck
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to
compress everything into a small map; the final result was a simpler circuit board
style design. The new design
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so radical that it
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rejected by the
London Underground after some convincing
Beck managed to get 500 trial copies to
be sold at a few stations. In 1933 Beck's map was finally
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it was
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with critical acclaim and almost 800,000 copies were
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within
the first two months.
Henry Beck
continued
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was able
were
to update the map
for two decades eventually Beck's ideas
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was able
were
no longer welcomed when London
Underground appointed a new publicity officer.
Henry Beck's accomplishments were mostly
continued
got
ignored
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received
removed
sold
thought
was
was able
were
after that.
Fortunately, the legacy of his map has endured. Today, many metros use some form
of Beck's design helping millions of passengers navigate their way around
most of the world's mega cities.
Check
OK