WEEK 1 | Home Task

London Underground Map

Henry Charles Beck, an English technical draughtsman drew up the London Underground Tube Map in 1931. It was a un-commissioned spare time project that was then introduced to the public. Initially rejected but after high demands from the public because of its’ usefulness 700,000 copies were reprinted and given out, compared to the first 500.

The map before Beck’s was drawn up by F. H. Stingermore and was mostly geographical-based. Beck’s concept was to make it into colour and to get rid of any geographical imagery. The passengers were only interested in how to get to stations and where to change trains.

After Beck’s design the map was extended into some lines and handed over to other designers, even though Beck tried to claim control of it. He wasn’t satisfied with the designs made by others and kept working on it in his spare time, unfortunately it was never accepted again.

At this time “This diagram is an evolution of the original design conceived in 1931 by Harry Beck“ is printed on every London Underground Map.