Book Description

A lavishly illustrated book with a cast of characters encompassing entrepreneurs, architects, politicians and passengers. David Bownes, Oliver Green and Sam Mullins draw on previously unused sources and images to produce a new history that celebrates the crucial role of the Underground in the creation and everyday life of modern London. Blending social history with the story of the pioneering engineers, designers, and social reformers who created the system, LondonUnderground 150reflects on the problems of keeping a fast growing city on the move. From providing access to the business heart of the Victorian City of London to the leisure delights of the Edwardian West End, through the growth of the suburbs and the vital role of the Underground as shelter during the Blitz, the story continues through urban regeneration to the challenge of upgrading the original network to meet the needs of the 21st century. Looking at its impact on the city itself, the authors also consider how the London Underground led the way in world metro systems; what made the 1920s and 30s such an incredibly inventive era for design, and why paying for the Tube has always been a challenge.