Blue plaque honours Frank Pick, the man who shaped the Tube

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 25 Oct, 05:59 · Archive

A blue plaque marks the former Hampstead home of Frank Pick, who designed the London Underground's iconic visual identity.

A blue plaque has been unveiled on a house in Wildwood Road, Hampstead Garden Suburb, honouring Frank Pick with the inscription: 'Frank Pick Pioneer of Good Design for London Transport lived here.' Pick died at the property in 1941.

Born in Lincolnshire in 1878, Pick joined the North Eastern Railway in 1902 as a trainee manager before becoming personal assistant to Sir George Gibb. When Gibb became managing director of the Underground Electric Railways Company of London in 1906, he brought Pick with him. The company, known as the Underground Group, had taken over the debt-ridden District Railway and was opening three deep-level Tube lines which by 1907 faced serious financial trouble.

Albert Stanley, later Lord Ashfield, took over in an attempt to save the business and gave his staff six months to turn the company around. Crucially, he gave Pick freedom to develop his ideas about publicity and design.

Today, Pick's influence is evident across the Tube network. Commuters pass through 1920s and 30s stations such as Piccadilly Circus, with its circular ticket hall, and encounter the familiar roundel marking each station and the Johnston font used in signs throughout the network. The patterned upholstery on trains, buses and trams also reflects his vision. Pick asked Johnston to standardise the roundel, which remains largely unchanged today.

How it is being reported

• Blue plaque honours the man who shaped London's iconic Tube networkFrank Pick commissioned the famous Tube posters, roundel, Johnston font, moquette seating and many 1920s and 30s stations during his time at London Underground.Croydon Guardian · 25 Oct, 05:00
• Blue plaque honours the man who shaped London's iconic Tube networkFrank Pick commissioned the famous Tube posters, roundel, Johnston font, moquette seating and many 1920s and 30s stations during his time at London Underground.News Shopper · 25 Oct, 05:00
• Blue plaque honours the man who shaped London's iconic Tube networkFrank Pick commissioned the famous Tube posters, roundel, Johnston font, moquette seating and many 1920s and 30s stations during his time at London Underground.This Is Local London · 25 Oct, 05:00
• Blue plaque honours the man who shaped London's iconic Tube networkFrank Pick commissioned the famous Tube posters, roundel, Johnston font, moquette seating and many 1920s and 30s stations during his time at London Underground.Wandsworth Guardian · 25 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Frank Pick · London Underground · Hampstead Garden Suburb · Sir George Gibb · Albert Stanley, Lord Ashfield · Johnston · Piccadilly Circus

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