The London Underground is tres cool. But one of the coolest thing is the maps of the Underground.
The original maps were geographically literal, like a real map. But the Underground folks realized early on that this caused a lot of problems, even as the system expanded, twisted on itself, and had areas where stations were close together, and others where they were far apart.
Enter Harry Beck. In 1933, he applied his knowledge of circuit diagrams — which represent paths symbolically, not literally — to create the first modern subway map. That concept has been used for subway and transit maps around the world ever since, including all the current London Underground maps.
But, if you want to see a geographically accurate map of the London Underground, it does exist.
God, I love this kind of twinky stuff.
Those interested in more info, visit the London Transport Museum (if, ahem, you happen to be in London any time soon). And if you think the Underground font (designed in 1916 by Edward Johnston) is cool, it’s available via the P22 type foundry folks.
I don’t know if it’s this site, but I saw a version of the NYC subway system done up in the mode of the London Tube maps. It looked very cool, compared to our normal, dull ones, which are geographically correct.
Ah. So I see. I wonder if the city streets being laid out on a grid makes geographic realism more of a need.
This image seems to be schematic of the NYC subway. I think it’s what you’re looking for.
Intersting mini-article there. Never realized they were different (duh)!
That’s pretty much the one. If you look at the maps, in the top-middle is a green colored line — the #6. It’s last stop, next to Pelham Bay Park, is mine. I walk through that park to our house, which borders the other side of the park, near the water.
Nice area, unlike anything you would expect in Da Bronx.
argh! And by “it’s” I mean “its.” Hoisted on the petard of my own pet peeve . . .
Yeah, and now we know where you live, so we can come and punish you properly.