The original map used to navigate the London Underground tube system was confusing with train lines and station names clashing and in disarray as they followed the geography of the land. It was Harry Beck who chose to work with geometry over geography.
Working as an electrical draftsman for the London Underground, he utilised his knowledge of wiring designs and applied it to the layout of the tube map. This resulted in a clear-cut design using parallel lines, evenly spaced stations and strategically developed colour coding which would come to be known as the famous tube map we use today. His original map was created in 1931 but first used publically in 1933 and revolutionised the future of how people navigated about London using underground trains.
As time passed, the map developed with the changes to the London Underground system. Harry Beck’s wiring design is the staple for London transport.
Jasmine Cooper 