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OpenCage ๐Ÿ‘‰๐ŸŒ

Next week the OpenCage team will be back in London ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง for Geomob London on the evening of Wed the 18th, so it's fitting that for this week's #geoweirdness thread we focus on an iconic bit of cartographic history that started in London:

The tube map.

1/

11 comments
OpenCage ๐Ÿ‘‰๐ŸŒ

2/ The first version of the London Underground Map we know and love today was designed in 1931 by Henry Charles Beck.

Itโ€™s one of the most recognisable cartographic works of all time

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Be

OpenCage ๐Ÿ‘‰๐ŸŒ

3/ Originally, the London Underground used a geographical map, not the topological style that Beck invented we are all used to.

There used to be a different pamphlet for each train line, and it was only in 1908 that the networkโ€™s several train lines were first plotted onto a single map.

As the network grew in scope and complexity, geographically correct maps became problematic.

OpenCage ๐Ÿ‘‰๐ŸŒ

4/ In 1931, Beck presented a prototype of a new Underground map.

Interestingly, his idea was originally turned down.

It was only in 1933 that the map was adopted en-masse, with a first print of about 700,000 copies.

OpenCage ๐Ÿ‘‰๐ŸŒ

5/ Beck's approach to depicting London's subway system prioritized user experience over geographical accuracy. He used coloured straight lines and 45-degree angles to simplify the complex map into a readable format, achieving a sparse, circuit-like layout.

OpenCage ๐Ÿ‘‰๐ŸŒ

6/ This shift from geographic to UX-first is shown in the following graphic, which shows the city's realignment to place zone 1 in the actual centre of the map and its expansion.

Zone 1 is made to look a lot bigger than it is.

OpenCage ๐Ÿ‘‰๐ŸŒ

7/ The new London Underground map stuck and kickstarted a revolution in transport cartography.

The methodology has been used in dozens of cities worldwide to represent their metro systems. From Boston ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ to Buenos Aires ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ท, and many more

OpenCage ๐Ÿ‘‰๐ŸŒ

8/ Beck's style has inspired creatives and nerds alike to create a seemingly endless list of representations and reworks.

London itself has seen special maps commissioned, including Lego specials, or this recent, special map created in collaboration with Samsung, to celebrate 90 years since the launch of Beckโ€™s map.

OpenCage ๐Ÿ‘‰๐ŸŒ

9/ Beckโ€™s map created a style of cartography that is now used to map almost anything.

Take the Greenground Map, created by graphic designer Helen Ilus.
helenilus.com/2021/04/20/londo

This map shows all of Londonโ€™s green spaces and shows users how to navigate between them, using the same simple design as the tube map.

Helen was our guest back on episode 39 of the Geomob Podcast
thegeomob.com/podcast/episode-

9/ Beckโ€™s map created a style of cartography that is now used to map almost anything.

Take the Greenground Map, created by graphic designer Helen Ilus.
helenilus.com/2021/04/20/londo

This map shows all of Londonโ€™s green spaces and shows users how to navigate between them, using the same simple design as the tube map.

OpenCage ๐Ÿ‘‰๐ŸŒ

10/ The list of reworks of the tube map is endless.

How about this one, which shows an etymologically reconstructed map of the Tube under a hypothetically extended Norman conquest?

OpenCage ๐Ÿ‘‰๐ŸŒ

11/ The Tube is a critical part of the London identity and the Underground map plays into this โ€” station names are iconic and have fed into popular culture.

For example London Underground-themed costume parties.

Here are some fun ideas: londonist.com/london/transport

#geoweirdness

OpenCage ๐Ÿ‘‰๐ŸŒ replied to OpenCage

12/ Final bit of #geoweirdness fun before we wrap this thread up and call it a weekend - anyone up for a game of Mornington Crescent?

This improvisational comedy was popularised on the BBC radio comedy โ€œIโ€™m Sorry I Havenโ€™t a Clueโ€. Participants take it in turns to announce a famous place in London, with the winner being the first to successfully announce โ€œMornington Crescentโ€. It gets messy!

Hereโ€™s a clip from the 70s show in all its glory:
youtube.com/watch?v=OjOsOB4erZ

12/ Final bit of #geoweirdness fun before we wrap this thread up and call it a weekend - anyone up for a game of Mornington Crescent?

This improvisational comedy was popularised on the BBC radio comedy โ€œIโ€™m Sorry I Havenโ€™t a Clueโ€. Participants take it in turns to announce a famous place in London, with the winner being the first to successfully announce โ€œMornington Crescentโ€. It gets messy!

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