Celebrating engineering icons with a new themed tube map

This initiative aims to motivate individuals from varied backgrounds to study science, technology, engineering (especially), and mathematics, and subsequently embark on professional careers in these fields.

The inception of the original Tube map can be traced back to 1933, credited to Harry Beck, an electrical draughtsman for the Underground. Contrary to most maps that prioritise geographical precision and distance, Beck took inspiration from the circuit diagrams he crafted for his professional commitments. This led him to simplify the extensive Tube network into a tidy diagram marked by intersecting coloured lines. Beck's design, albeit with certain alterations and augmentations, remains relevant today.

This themed map proudly displays and lauds the contributions of 274 engineers, categorised under 11 distinct themes. It seeks to underline the pivotal role engineering has played in sculpting society and accentuate its cruciality for the future. A noteworthy inclusion is the team that spearheaded the Elizabeth line, the latest addition to London's rail network.

Among the luminaries celebrated are:

• The bygone trailblazers responsible for constructing London, the UK, and the world at large
• Contemporary innovators who introduce novel solutions that enhance our daily lives, ranging from groundbreaking cancer therapies and eco-friendly energy sources to avant-garde infrastructure
• The emerging prodigies shaping the future

London's status as a leading global city can be attributed to the diligent engineers behind major transport undertakings in the capital. This map encapsulates a metropolis that thrives on innovation, a testament to the exceptional engineers whose vision has moulded its appearance and functionality, spanning subterranean expanses to towering skylines.

To highlight a few name changes on this map:

• Shepherd’s Bush is now Professor Dame Ann Dowling OM DBE FREng in recognition of her pioneering work in Concorde's noise-reduction research
• Oxford Circus pays homage to Harry Beck, the mastermind behind the iconic Underground map
• Uxbridge celebrates Dr Gladys West, a pioneer in the development of the Global Positioning System (GPS)
• Ealing Common is named after Isambard Kingdom Brunel, an iconic figure from the industrial revolution era
• Warren Street honours Ada Lovelace, the world's inaugural computer programmer
• Regent’s Park remembers Alexander Graham Bell, the innovator behind the first functional telephone
• Abbey Wood recognises Isabel Coman, a pivotal figure in the conception of the Elizabeth line
• Harrow-on-the-Hill is a nod to Sir Charles Kao KBE FREng, the pioneer of fibre optic communications
• Nine Elms celebrates Eneni Bambara-Abban, an influential figure in robotics engineering

This collaborative endeavour between TFL and the Royal Academy of Engineering serves as a reminder of the indomitable spirit of innovation and the engineers who have ceaselessly striven to shape our world.

View and download the map here: https://londonblog.tfl.gov.uk/2023/11/01/engineering-icons-tube-map/