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History of the London Underground Map

© Annie Mole

The founding father and original designer of the London Underground map, Harry Beck, lived in Courthouse Road, North Finchley, N12. Most tube or subway maps from around the world follow his original design. The London Underground's managing director had once dismissed a suggestion from Beck, a junior draftsman in 1931, for a new approach to mapping its railway using a simple diagrammatic method based on straight lines. Influenced by the recession of 1932, the MD was persuaded to give it a try in 1933. It was immediately embraced by the public, though no one ever attempted to measure its commercial value to the Underground.

This quote comes from Howard Gerbis a big fan of Harry

"You simply MUST read the book about Harry Beck, Mr Beck's Underground Map , it is the seminal definitive book on intelligent, lateral thinking design (see how he incorporated the Victoria line as a perfectly straight line in his orginal approach, by just moving orginal tube lines slightly).

The book ponders on Harry's frustration, until his death,(in the mid 70s) how London Transport never officially acknowledged his copyright or contribution. A Grey Plaque (the Underground equivalent of London's Blue Plaques which show where famous people lived) was put up at Finchley Central Station 2 - 3 years ago, together with a replica of his orginal map. Too little, too late, and probably more as a result of LT's guilt over the affair."

Ian McLaren had the pleasure to be taught by Harry Beck and has produced an article on what Harry Beck might have thought if he were alive today and could see all the tourist goods which his map has illustrated.

"Harry Beck could not have guessed at the range of items to which his design has been applied; and the international influence he has undoubtedly had upon the design of other public transport network diagrams. Today one can eat and drink; clothe and entertain oneself, and sleep and bathe, all using products based upon Beck's design....The diagram is reproduced over 60 million times each year by companies other than London Transport; who produce a surprising array of items ranging from aprons to wash bags"

He concludes: "It is doubtful whether Beck ever imagined that his design would become such an icon of London; or that he would have expected such a dry subject as a public transport route diagram to be the basis of so many witty and commercially successful souvenir products and poster images. Given the sense of sheer fun which his design has engendered, and the degree of affection and international respect for it; I cannot believe that despite the vicissitudes of his relationship with London Transport, he would today resent that his ideas have created the means to help preserve the design heritage of London. So on balance, to misquote Queen Victoria; yes, I am inclined to believe that Harry Beck would "have been amused".