Who designed the London Tube map?
The famous London Tube map was designed by Harry Beck, an engineering draftsman, and first published in 1933. Instead of showing real distances, it uses straight lines and simple angles to make the network easy to understand.
Before Beck's design, Underground maps showed the lines following their real routes, which became cluttered and confusing, especially in central London.
Beck realized that passengers cared more about connections and the order of stations than exact geography. He based his diagram on electrical circuit diagrams, using only horizontal, vertical and 45-degree lines.
A design classic
London Transport was at first unsure about the design but issued a trial version in 1933. It proved hugely popular with passengers.
Beck continued updating the map until the 1960s. His design influenced transit maps around the world, from New York to Tokyo.
The Tube map is considered a classic of 20th-century graphic design. It has appeared on souvenirs, posters and artworks. A plaque at Finchley Central station honors Beck, who lived nearby. The map has been redrawn many times as new lines and stations have opened.