How the Underground became mainstream

London Underground By Design

**By Mark Ovenden**

**Particular Books, €25.20**

**Reviewed by Brendan Daly**

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The frenetic growth of the London Underground in the early part of the 20th century created problems for its map designers. An official pocket map - the world's first - of the District line was adapted for the Underground's integrated system, but rapid expansion resulted in a congested diagram of the network.

When Harry Beck, a junior draughtsman ...