What does the Underground sign mean?
The original red disk was to attract attention to the station name. Nothing to do with tubes. In fact the circle actually represents London, and the blue bar in the middle of it is the Thames. This was not only the logo for the Underground but also for the whole of what was known as London Transport.
What is a roundel logo?
A roundel is a circular disc used as a symbol. The term is used in heraldry, but also commonly used to refer to a type of national insignia used on military aircraft, generally circular in shape and usually comprising concentric rings of different colours.
What is a tube roundel?
London’s tube roundel is an internationally recognised symbol of the city. The red, white and blue signs are used at all underground stations, while adapted forms can be found on buses, trains and many other types of transport. For a standardised bit of signage, the famous tube roundel is surprisingly diverse.
Who created the roundel?
Edward Johnston
18. London Underground (1919) The London Underground roundel, designed by Edward Johnston in 1919, has transcended its function as transport signage, and in many ways become a symbol for London itself.
What is the red roundel on London buses?
In 1990 LRT and its subsidiary operating companies: London Transport Buses and London Underground reverted to the group name London Transport. Again the roundel was employed as the unifying symbol, to identify and link the companies in the minds of the public. Joint group services were identified by a red roundel.
How do you write roundel?
A roundel consists of nine lines each having the same number of syllables, plus a refrain after the third line and after the last line. The refrain must be identical with the beginning of the first line: it may be a half-line, and rhymes with the second line.
What is a roundel in architecture?
The roundel is a strong artillery fortification with a rounded or circular plan of a similar height to the adjacent defensive walls. If the fortification is clearly higher than the walls it is called a battery tower.
What are speed roundels?
Speed roundels are elongated circles laid in white Thermoplastic markings on the road surface with the speed limit in the centre. Anglo Liners are experts in providing road marking services to meet strict regulations across the United Kingdom.
What does the London Underground roundel symbolize?
Nothing to do with tubes. In fact the circle actually represents London, and the blue bar in the middle of it is the Thames. This was not only the logo for the Underground but also for the whole of what was known as London Transport. So the logo makes sense.
What is in the middle of the London Underground logo?
In fact the circle actually represents London, and the blue bar in the middle of it is the Thames. This was not only the logo for the Underground but also for the whole of what was known as London Transport.
When did the roundel turn into a circle?
By 1917 the proportions of the roundel had been reworked to suit the new lettering and incorporate the Underground logotype. The solid red disc became a circle, and the new symbol was registered as a trademark. Section of an anonymous poster, 1920.
Why was the roundel introduced to the railway station?
These early roundels, framed with timber mouldings, were introduced as station nameboards. The new device gave prominence to the name of the station, and helped passengers distinguish it from surrounding commercial advertising.