Fun with maps!
The London Underground map is an iconic symbol, mimicked by many, equalled by none. You can find it on T-shirts, teacups, coffee mugs, purses, overnight bags, pencil cases and various other touristy tchotsckes. D.C. has attemted to duplicate the iconography of the Tube map with T-shirts and mouse pads of its Metro map, but as with many things, nothing matches the original. (And I've never seen anything similar for New York's subways or Chicago's El. Readers can correct me on this point if I'm wrong.)
And as with all things iconic, the Tube map spawns many fun imitators. A recent meme on London-centric blogs of late has been the variety of ways in which people have spoofed the Tube map. London Underground Tube Diary now has a map that supposes the various ways corporations could buy sponsorships of various stations, while London Geezer (Feb. 11 post) links a number of various other spoof maps, including one that is described as "sweary." (Do not click on the "sweary" link unless one can watch the Comedy Central show "Drawn Together" without gagging.) My favorite: the musical version.
posted by Smitty Werbenmanjensen at 8:15 AM
3 Comments:
Excellent advice. I'd be crying if it weren't so comical. Three months for an ATM card is really just silly.
I think I owned one of the Tube tshirts when I was 7 or 8 years old (while Smitty was rolling around in the water yelling, "I can't swim."). I don't think it still fits.
If you follow the links, you will find this map that does a better job of displaying where the various Tube lines go. The answer is that yes, Harry Beck's design was made to be easily understood, which is why every train line in the world does a similar thing.
Post a Comment
<< Home