Mark Ovenden — author of Transit Maps of the World — has the fascinating story of how Harry Beck tried to create a map of the Paris Métro in the style of his iconic map of the London Underground. Both of Beck’s attempts were rejected. Eventually, however, the RATP adopted a similar diagrammatic map of the Métro in 2001. Via Kottke.

Previously: Review: Transit Maps of the World.

• Buy Transit Maps of the World at Amazon.com
• Buy Paris Métro Style in Map and Station Design at Amazon.com