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Harry Beck | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Henry Charles Beck 4 June 1902 |
| Died | 18 September 1974 (aged 72) Southampton, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Education | Grove House School |
| Occupation(s) | Electrical designer, artist |
| Known for | Tube map |
| Partner | Nora Beck |
| Parent(s) | Joshua and Eleanor Louisa Beck |
Henry Charles Beck (4 June 1902 – 18 September 1974) was an English technical draughtsman who created the first diagrammatic London Underground Tube map in 1931.[1] Beck drew the diagram after being laid off by the Signalling Department of Underground Electric Railways of London.[1]
Although his design was initially rejected, the Publicity Office of London Transport changed their minds after Beck resubmitted an updated copy and the map was first issued as a pocket edition in January 1933. It was immediately popular, and the Underground has used topological maps to illustrate the network ever since. Harry Beck wanted to make the network easier to understand by colouring each train route and using straight lines and 45 degree angles.
- ^ a b Kent, Alexander J. (1 February 2021). "When Topology Trumped Topography: Celebrating 90 Years of Beck's Underground Map". The Cartographic Journal. 58 (1): 1–12. Bibcode:2021CartJ..58....1K. doi:10.1080/00087041.2021.1953765. S2CID 236970579.