A History of the London Tube Maps

WHAT TO SEE & HOW TO TRAVEL
MAP OF THE ELECTRIC RAILWAYS OF LONDON

INNER AREA MAP
OF THE ELECTRIC RAILWAYS OF LONDON

The first three fold card map had been introduced in 1911 and since then, until this map, they were printed on paper; not an ideal material for something that is likely to be kept in the pocket, folded and unfolded numerous times, handled amid rushing crowded stations and subjected to the risk of wear and tearing.

This map is printed on linen backed card and so is the second version of a three folded card map and an ancestor of today’s style of underground map. Designed by MacDonald Gill in the similar style to his other maps.

The difficulty had been to get the detail onto a small size map, not overcome until the brainchild of Beck, some twelve years later. To help overcome the problem, this map only covered the central area but even then one can see the squeezed and smaller text around the City area.

1921

MAP OF THE ELECTRIC RAILWAYS OF LONDON

This is a fold out paper map with dimensions of 18" x 14.5" and published by Waterlow & Sons of London, Dunstable & Watford.

Little is known about J.C. Betts, the designer, and there are no other known designs attributed to him. It would appear that, at this time, the LUR were looking for a more suitable design to incorporate the growing network as along with this design they experimented with those by MacDonald Gill and E.G.Perman. Eventually they must have decided to settle for the Stingemore arrangement before Beck came up with, what transpired to be, the ultimate definitive design.

Some surface detail has been depicted by using a shaded background in the central area and leaving the road system white with a unique style of indicating the street names within the road itself; this cleverly avoids the clutter and confusion of drawing the roads in outline. Surface detail had been avoided in previous years to avoid difficulty in understanding the maps as the network developed and became more and more complex.

With an emphasis on persuading the public to use the trains for leisure as well as business, a plan of the theatres and nearby stations is shown on the back as is a central plan showing connections with the main line stations.

1924

DIAGRAM OF LINES
and station index

This 1926 map is one of the first of eleven editions of the Fred.H. Stingemore's maps that were produced between 1925 and 1932 and printed on stiff linen-backed tri-folded card. The designer's initials, FHS, can be read in the bottom left hand corner. Fred Stingemore was a draughtsman for the underground organisation. His maps were designed in an effort to consolidate the network and make it easier to understand by compressing the outlying lines in comparison to the intricate and congested central area.

Although still basically following a geographical layout, in the light of the distortion, we see the removal of all of the ground level detail including the river; however, paradoxically, the inclusion of the River Thames was reintroduced in April 1926 and has remained in all the maps since.

The concept of complete removal of ground level detail was introduced in the MacDonald Gill maps. Also, geographical deviation can be seen, to a smaller extent, in the earlier unified maps and these factors must have influenced Stingemore in the production of his series of maps. In turn his maps must have been the precedent for the development of the schematic format many of us are familiar with today. In later years we can see how this was developed and how the river was also modified in the same style.

After the fourth edition in 1927, no date was shown on the maps but there are other ways of identifying the year of each edition by way of style and content. (Click here to view maps from further years and a chart identifying the characteristics for each year.)

1926

MAP OF LONDON'S UNDERGROUND RAILWAYS

This map is a development of the first card folder map produced in 1925, shown above.

One significant change in this map from the first edition is the inclusion of the river, the only ground level feature shown. An endeavour to keep this conforming to geographical reality is largely achieved, although this will be shown to be short lived, as that changes with the introduction of the 1933 map.

1932

MAP OF LONDON'S UNDERGROUND RAILWAYS
A new design for an old map.
Designed by Harry Beck

This map is the first of the schematic image maps which was the brainchild of Harry Beck. (Click here to link to a feature on Harry Beck which is part of thetube.com web site). Harry was a temporarily employed electrical draughtsman who, on his own initiative, used his knowledge of circuit diagrams and applied it to the, then, current-day underground design by FHS (see 1932 above) to produce this 1933 map.

The Underground management was a little unsure of how the public would take to such a revolutionary change in the design and a note on the front cover of a trial run of the map (seen in the edition shown), invited people to send their comments to the Publicity Manager. In fact the map was accepted very well and was eventually to become held with great affection. The incorporation of the river was also to be greatly revered by tube travellers and has been to the present day. This is the only surface feature shown on the map and although it too is a schematic representation, it provides a geographical datum which assists the interpretation and understanding of the map tremendously.

Harry Beck's format was an innovation that would become essential for the comprehensibility of complex networks of today's transport systems all over the world. The commercial value to London Transport and the rest of the world is immeasurable; for this he was paid 10 guineas, probably about two weeks wages in those days.

Some other changes made from the earlier map:

The Piccadilly Line was changed from a pale to a dark blue. The colour coding, otherwise, was essentially kept the same as the FHS design.

The blobs for stations were replaced by tabs and interchange stations denoted by a diamond.

The typeface was varied in size to accommodate space availability and so avoided the use of little arrows that were necessary on the earlier, somewhat bewildering, Stingemore maps.

Lambeth North Station is shown physically West (not East) of the Waterloo to Kennington leg of the Northern Line. In his original sketch of the diagram (that which Harry is seen holding in the photograph on thetube.com link above) he has shown a loop to bring the line west but this was changed by the time of printing.

The Northern end of the Piccadilly Line extension has been completed as far as Enfield West (later to become Oakwood), since the 1930 map was produced.

The Western end of the Piccadilly Line extension has been completed as far as South Harrow. There is no intention shown, at this time, for its continuation to Uxbridge.

The Hampstead and Highgate Line became the Edgware Highgate and Morden Line.

RAILWAY MAP

This map features on the back cover, the central area interchange diamonds, which were first introduced the previous year and described by one punter as a "most peculiar oddity".

One can see that Harry Beck has already started tinkering with the design since his first map three years before. Some of these changes are listed below.

The kink on the north section of the Bakerloo Line has been removed to make it a straight diagonal.

The Stanmore spur on the Metropolitan Line has changed from a vertical to a diagonal.

The stretch of line between Hammersmith and Ealing Common has been changed from a rectilinear form, with right angled bends, to a 45° diagonal.

The Cockfosters Line, that was still under construction, is now shown as completed.

Interchange stations are denoted by a coloured circle instead of a diamond.

The words "LONDON" and "TRANSPORT" have been added to the Underground logo.

The east end of the District Line ends with an arrow head instead of running off the map.

Anyone notice any other changes?

The following changes were kindly submitted, in the guest book, by Timothy on the 6th April 2004: -

West End of District Line has been removed between Ealing Common & Hillingdon; there is only the Piccadilly Line.

Changes in Northern Line, between Camden Town & Euston.

Bakerloo Line changed colour from red to brown.

Turnham Green no longer denoted as an interchange station.

Even more, contributed by another Timothy, on the 9th May 2004; thank you Tims.

The British Museum/Holborn interchanges side by side have been replaced by a single Holborn station with the Central/Piccadilly interchange clarified.

The Edgware, Highgate & Morden Line has been renamed the Morden-Edgware Line.

Euston now clearly shows the two branches of the Morden-Edgware Line interchanging but not looking as though they merge. Consequently the Charing Cross branch with Mornington Crescent is shown to the west of the Bank branch, whereas before (and in reality) the branches were the other way round. *See note below.

The escalator link between Bank & Monument is first indicated.

The District Line disappears off the map after Mile End, not Bow Road.

The East London Line is now shown as being a part of the Metropolitan Line, rather than a separate colour in its own right.

UNDERGROUND LINES

The reason this map is very different to other post 1933 pre 1960 maps, is because it was not designed by Harry Beck. This must have been a shock to him as he apparently was not aware that someone else had been requested to design the map for that year. In a quote from a letter to the Publicity Officer in June 1938, taken from the book "Beck's Underground Map" (see bibliography), he had written:

I have just happened to see a proof of a new Underground folder. The 'H.C.Beck' diagram has been used, but with considerable and, I suggest, undesirable, alterations by another artist -- one not on the staff -- without reference to me.

Beck need not have worried too much at this time, as the diagram was not liked by the Publicity Officer and he was subsequently made responsible for all further design changes, until his authority was again challenged in 1946 and finally in 1960.

As can be seen, the design uses a technique, by means of a coloured background, to highlight the central area (not unlike the technique used on today's map to show the tariff zones). The lines are not as wide as Beck's design and the interchange stations are illustrated by black circles, a feature that was returned to after Beck's last map in 1960. The intention, on this map, had been to eliminate the need for the peculiar interchange map that had been appearing on the back of the maps since 1935.

The map had been the work of a designer called Hans Scheger, under the pseudonym of "Zero", who had already been commissioned for other work by London Transport. It emphasises Beck's understanding of the requirements and his skillful ability at applying them to the map when one sees the results of this attempt by a respected professional designer.

1939

UNDERGROUND LINES

In 1940 Harry Beck left his job with London Underground and took up a post with the London School of Printing and Graphical Arts. However, he continued to work on the underground map in his spare time and in the same year we find that the map has returned to his design following that of the previous two editions by Hans Scheger, which had caused Harry so much irritation.

Similar to some maps produced in the First World War, for two years during the Second World War maps were printed in limited colour. In this 1940 map, only brown and blue colours have been used and hence there is no colour key to signify the different companys' lines.

UNDERGROUND LINES

In 1940 Harry Beck had been requested by the London Transport Board to incorporate three new features in the quad royal poster. These were: - to use interlinking circles for the interchange stations, to use separate names for the same stations that share different lines and to use 60° angles for the diagonals. These features were also incorporated into this second edition of the 1941 folder map.

After these maps were introduced the interlinked circles were considered to make the map unnecessarily complex. The 60° angles, introduced in an effort to better include the Central Line extensions East and West of the map, were also an unnecessary distraction and both these attributes only lasted two years. Incomprehensibly, the congestion caused by the multiple use of names for some of the stations, remained as a feature until 1946.

UNDERGROUND LINES
Designed by Harry Beck

This is the first card (folder N°1) of Harry Beck's rectilinear style maps. The design was originally published as a quad royal poster in January 1941. Beck was encouraged by the management to revise the design in order to reduce the diagonal lines to an absolute minimum.

The picture is nicely divided by a cross formed horizontally through the centre by the Central Line and vertically by the Northern Line. One downside to this design was that the last station, on the Richmond branch of the District Line, is not shown adjacent to the river where it correctly belonged; this was not rectified until 1951.

Some other features of this map:

The Hammersmith branch of the Metropolitan Line now terminates at a normal station and not an Interchange. Despite these stations not being immediately adjacent to each other, it reverted to be illustrated as an interchange station later in the 1946 map.

Station names for Gloucester Road, Leicester Square and Monument straddle the line, presumably due to space constraints.

UNDERGROUND
DIAGRAM OF LINES

The front page of this map shows a garish border similar to that used earlier in the same year on the quad royal poster; it was designed by Captain Shepherd.

Other changes that took place for the first time on this 1946 map are as follows:

An abandonment of coloured print being used for the stations names and so also, the seemingly ridiculous practice of duplicate names at interchange stations.

Re-introduction of lines to be electrified and lines under construction.

Restoration of Hammersmith to a three station interchange, previously altered in 1943.

RAILWAYS
DIAGRAM OF LINES

This is the first example of where Beck introduced the "white line connectors", a clever technique to portray passenger interconnections between stations on different lines. The original inspiration of this, may or may not have come to Beck from much earlier in a 1909 booklet entitled "Street&Railway Map.IN.Sections", where a similar technique was used to show an interconnection between, the then, Bakerloo Tube and the Metropolitan Railway Lines at Baker Street, (click here to see). It can be seen from the Great Central Station, that the effect was also used where there were interconnections between main line and underground stations.

Unfortunately, on this first introduction, these white gaps are not correctly coincident with those on the other lines, at some of the stations. This is due to a print error that has caused the whole of the Metropolitan Line to shift to the right about a quarter and down one sixteenth of an inch. This has also had a bizarre effect on the colouring along the north part of the Circle Line and caused gaps around Liverpool Street and Whitechapel stations and where it should cross the River Thames. I wonder if this is where the expression "mind the gap" originated?

RAILWAYS
DIAGRAM OF LINES

By the time this 1951 map was produced all the extensions planned before the war had finally been opened, with the exception of those that had been subsequently abandoned. The Underground network would now remain essentially unchanged until the opening of the Victoria Line in the late 1960s.

Another feature of this edition is that Richmond is re-instated back to its rightful place next to the Thames. This had been shown to the south of the river since the rectilinear style was introduced in 1943. This had been achieved by reinstating the diagonal of the branch and bending the river to match. It is to be assumed that this arrangement was not liked by the designer as it was only to last until 1954.

RAILWAYS
DIAGRAM OF LINES

This edition shows the changes that were first made on the 1954 map which had been extensively revised to show four new features:

Displaying the river in rectilinear form.

Simplification of the Circle Line into a rectangular shape.

Branching points of many lines shown with equal importance rather than as a spur, i.e. the Mill Hill and High Barnet branch on the Northern Line.

The thickening of the route lines.

UNDERGROUND
DIAGRAM OF LINES
and station index

If one looks closely at these 1958(Bottom) and 1959(Top) maps it can be seen that there are very subtle changes which indicate that the map was redrawn in the 1959 edition. For unknown reasons, the curves of the lines have been tightened whereas the river curves have been loosened very slightly.

1958 & 1959

UNDERGROUND
Diagram of Lines

This is the very last of the H. C. Beck's design. Beck was apparently looking forward to the challenge of designing into the scheme the new Victoria Line for his next map. There were some interpersonal relation problems between Beck and the current Publicity Officer H. F. Hutchinson, who had voiced doubts about rectilinear form of Beck's design. Moves were made, unbeknown to Beck, to redesign the map by the Publicity Officer himself which was issued later this year (1960).

Despite being rejected, Beck still completed and submitted a design incorporating the Victoria Line which is considered, by many today, to have been a far superior and cleverer proposal than the one eventually used by London Transport. The submission, however, was returned to him without comment.

1963

DIAGRAM OF LINES
Designed by Harold F Hutchinson

This map is in a new style introduced in 1960 as a "Change of Style after 30 Years". It was designed, not by a designer but by, the then, Underground's Publicity Officer, Harold F Hutchinson.

The design was not well liked, the text lettering in places was cramped. This was so much so at the Aldgate Station, the name was split each side of the line. The diagram is drawn in straight lines without any curves; bends are shown as straight angles. This results in the somewhat complicated kink in the line, seen between Holland Park and East Acton on the Central Line. Also the altering of the rectangular shape of the Circle Line causes congestion on the diagram around Liverpool Street and Aldgate; you will see that these have been ironed out in the next year's diagram.

Other features of interest on this map are as follows:

Interchange stations are printed in black avoiding the necessity of different colours for the particular lines they are on.

British Rail interchanges are illustrated by a square.

Escalator connection between Monument and Bank is shown in the key.

The tab indicating the station at East Acton is on the south side of the line. This changes to the north side in next year's diagram and remains on that side until some time between 1974 and 1986 when it reverts back to the south side.

North western end of Metropolitan Line now stops at Amersham and interchanges with British Railway to continue beyond, prior to this the end of the line was at Aylesbury.

1964

DIAGRAM OF LINES
Designed by Paul E Garbutt

This design was by Paul E. Garbutt who was assistant secretary and New Works Officer. He did the work producing this in his spare time because he, along with many others, disliked the current version.

The changes introduced by Garbutt are listed below:

Curves and bends are restored which allows a little more flexibility and the spreading out of some stations.

The so called "white line connectors" - the passenger interconnections between stations on different lines, have been re-introduced.

Re-established the clean horizontal line for the Central Line and a nice straight vertical line for the Northern Line. This, in a way, was going back to the style originally produced in 1933.

The square illustrations have been replaced by a dot inside a black circle for interchange stations with British Rail.

A new shape has been introduced for the Circle Line which became known as the vacuum flask shape.

The words "Escalator connection" between Monument and Bank are introduced, this year, on the diagram.

1970

"DIAGRAM OF LINES"
Designed by Paul E Garbutt

New features on this map are as follows:

The part of the Northern Line, from Moorgate to Drayton Park, that originally gave it the name, has become the Highbury Branch.

Aldersgate has become Barbican.

Introduction of the Victoria Line and a few consequent changes around Kings Cross.

Interchanges with British Rail are now shown by the BR Logo.

The logo has been changed, with the word "UNDERGROUND" being replaced with a consistent sized text. The first evidence of this design, i.e. the enlarging of the U & D, is its use on a 1908 post card produced by the printers of the earlier maps, Waterlow & Sons. It is unknown whether this had been their own design or was made at the request of the underground group; the logo however must have been subsequently adopted by them.

1974

DIAGRAM OF LINES
Designed by Paul E Garbutt

New features on this map are as follows:

London Transport have decided to inform us in writing that the diagram is issued free.

The logo has been changed with the word "Underground" on the blue background removed.

The section of line between Watford and Queens Park on the Bakerloo Line is illustrated as a BR main line, running underground trains only at peak times. (At other times, those wanting to continue into London on the underground would have to change at Queens Park).

Stations closed at weekends are signified by a star.

Strand station is closed for rebuilding.

Victoria Line extended to Brixton.

The Central Line no longer dissects the Circle Line centrally, it has been moved up the diagram to allow more space for the more congested southern part of the diagram within the Circle. This has led to the escalator link between Monument and Bank being stretched, (making it look a mighty long escalator).

1986

Pocket Map

New features on this map are as follows:

We're no longer given the name of the designer.

The information that the diagram is issued free is very much more discreet.

The logo is back to its original 1970 format.

Stations with bicycle storage facilities are identified.

Heathrow extension on the Piccadilly Line.

Jubilee Line added taking the Stanmore leg of the Bakerloo Line and a new extension from Baker Street to Charing Cross.

Metropolitan Line runs to Aldgate and Barking at peak times. There are various other "peak hour sections" now illustrated.

The Highbury branch of the Northern Line and the Waterloo & City Line are shown as British Rail in the key.

The rebuilt Strand station is now combined with Trafalgar Square station to become Charing Cross station; the original Charing Cross station is renamed Embankment.

1995

Tube Map
Journey planner with station index

New features on this map are as follows:

The celebrated, haven't a clue why, Mornington Crescent station is closed for rebuilding.

The Aldwich extension has gone.

The Central Line has, logically, been brought down to join the stations Monument and Bank; we've consequently lost the escalator link.

You no longer have to mind the gap at Hainault on the north section of the Central Line, it's been removed.

The Docklands Light Railway is added and the shape of the river has been altered to accommodate it.

Despite being a tube map, the British Rail, North London Line, has been added to the diagram.

The Jubilee extension is shown as under construction.

1996

Tube Map
Journey planner with station index

In this year London Transport have discovered the potential of advertising on their tube maps and we see the introduction of the business "Freepages" being advertised.

1996

1997

Tube Map
Journey planner with station index and facilities

The key to lines, is shown on the front page, presumably to attract attention to the brand new helpline.

1997

The opening of the Jubilee extension to Stratford has taken Charing Cross station off the line. It now goes through Westminster Station and under the River Thames, four times, before terminating at Stratford.

2001

2002

This year's map includes a background shading to signify the areas for each of the tariff zones. This is a technique similar to that tried long ago, back on the 1939 map.

2002

Today

The modern day interactive map, what would Harry Beck make of this design?
Click here to link to an on line interactive map by Quickmap.

The Real Underground Map

This link takes you to a brilliant site that transforms, before your eyes, today's schematic diagram to the real geographical layout.
It also transforms, in the same way, today's schematic map into Beck's 1933 original diagram.
It is amazing to see just how much it has changed and how much it differs from the reality.

Click here to link to this clever animation by Sam Rich, which shows the Underground Map morphing into a "real" map. It used to be shown on the Transport for London website, but he now has permission to put it on his own site.

Acknowledgements: