Harry Beck on maps

In 1933, Harry Beck designed a map of the London Tube. It is beautiful and smart; a remarkable piece of information design. The conventions he established (no topography, equally spaced stations, straight lines) all now are so familiar to seem commonplace.

A visual history from 1903-1999. Owen Massey has an unbelievable collection of info and images. More history at Creative Review. Edward Tufte has a terrific (an enormous) discussion of the map on his site.

And lastly, since we are a music site: Arcade Fire covering the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s song Maps.