The London Tube map is one of the most
iconic designs in the world; it continuedgotignoredpublishedreceivedremovedsoldthoughtwaswas ablewere created by Henry Beck
an engineering craftsman who worked at the London
Underground signals office. Beck thought the old Tube map continuedgotignoredpublishedreceivedremovedsoldthoughtwaswas ablewere too complicated
he believed passengers continuedgotignoredpublishedreceivedremovedsoldthoughtwaswas ablewere not concerned about geographical accuracy.
They only cared about finding their way out of one station and into the next
connection. Beck continuedgotignoredpublishedreceivedremovedsoldthoughtwaswas ablewere 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 continuedgotignoredpublishedreceivedremovedsoldthoughtwaswas ablewere accustomed to drawing
during his career. Wires and electrical components continuedgotignoredpublishedreceivedremovedsoldthoughtwaswas ablewere replaced with tube lines
and stations Beck removed curves and added diagonals verticals and
horizontals to his new map. He also continuedgotignoredpublishedreceivedremovedsoldthoughtwaswas ablewere geographical details above
ground instead he only showed relative positions of the stations their
connections and fair zones. By ignoring accurate distances Beck continuedgotignoredpublishedreceivedremovedsoldthoughtwaswas ablewere to
compress everything into a small map; the final result was a simpler circuit board
style design. The new design continuedgotignoredpublishedreceivedremovedsoldthoughtwaswas ablewere so radical that it continuedgotignoredpublishedreceivedremovedsoldthoughtwaswas ablewere 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 continuedgotignoredpublishedreceivedremovedsoldthoughtwaswas ablewere it was
continuedgotignoredpublishedreceivedremovedsoldthoughtwaswas ablewere with critical acclaim and almost 800,000 copies were continuedgotignoredpublishedreceivedremovedsoldthoughtwaswas ablewere within
the first two months.
Henry Beck continuedgotignoredpublishedreceivedremovedsoldthoughtwaswas ablewere to update the map
for two decades eventually Beck's ideas
continuedgotignoredpublishedreceivedremovedsoldthoughtwaswas ablewere no longer welcomed when London
Underground appointed a new publicity officer.
Henry Beck's accomplishments were mostly continuedgotignoredpublishedreceivedremovedsoldthoughtwaswas ablewere 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.