Londonist: Time Machine

Londonist: Time Machine is a specialized newsletter exploring the intricate history and development of London through detailed investigations of maps, landmarks, and historical events. It utilizes a range of resources, including colorized historical maps, to reveal London's past from before its establishment to modern times, covering literary connections, forgotten places, and the evolution of cultural practices.

Historical Maps London Landmarks Literary London Historical Events Urban Development Cultural History

The hottest Substack posts of Londonist: Time Machine

And their main takeaways

The Final Words of British Monarchs Presented as Modernist Poetry

259 implied HN points • 07 Jun 24
🎨 Art & Illustration History Literature Poetry Monarchy Events
  1. The death of British monarchs marks significant historical shifts and eras, often defined by the reigning monarch's passing.
  2. The final words of British monarchs, though sometimes apocryphal, offer intriguing insights and can be read almost like modernist poetry.
  3. The rapid succession of power in British monarchy, like Charles becoming king upon Queen Elizabeth's death, is a unique phenomenon that seemingly defies physical laws.

The 1746 Rocque Map Of London... Now In Colour

718 implied HN points • 22 May 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Maps Color Cartography History London
  1. The 1746 Rocque Map of London is the first detailed map of the city, showcasing individual alleys, courts, and more in color.
  2. John Rocque used meticulous techniques for accuracy in his map, and aimed to record street names for detailed insight into 18th-century London.
  3. Adding color to the map helps reveal the complexity of land use, highlights water channels, and brings out details that were difficult to interpret in black and white.

Flying Squad: 90 Years Since London's First Police 'Helicopters'

239 implied HN points • 05 Jun 24
💾 History Police London Aircraft Events Technology
  1. The concept of police helicopters has roots dating back to the 1930s in London, with the use of autogyros for aerial surveillance and traffic management.
  2. Autogyros, precursor to helicopters, were notable for their innovative design, flight capabilities, and utility for police operations.
  3. The early days of police autogyros involved significant milestones such as monitoring public gatherings, assisting in traffic control, and capturing aerial images for police work.

The 50 Lost Waterways of Southwark

399 implied HN points • 24 May 24
🎨 Art & Illustration History Events Mapping Design Photos
  1. Coloring historic maps can provide interesting insights into the past, revealing hidden details such as lost waterways.
  2. Peeling off the rivers and streams from an old map and pasting them onto a modern map can show the significant presence of water bodies in an area.
  3. Exploring old maps and overlaying them onto current maps can unveil historical features like rivers that have been lost over time.

When Statues Get Mobbed

279 implied HN points • 29 May 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Sculptures History Culture Politics
  1. London has a long history of attacks on statues, often driven by political, iconoclastic, or drunken motivations.
  2. Statues in London have been subjected to various forms of vandalism over the years, such as tar and feathering, paint, or even physical damage.
  3. Incidents of statue vandalism range from attacks on well-known figures like Queen Anne and Peter Pan, to more controversial figures like Lenin and Winston Churchill.
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Is the Savoy *Really* the Only Place you Must Drive on the Right?

199 implied HN points • 31 May 24
🎭️ Culture History Architecture Geography Travel
  1. Savoy Court in London is not the only place where you must drive on the right; there are other examples like bus stations, car parks, and public roads with reversed layouts.
  2. The Savoy Court's unique right-hand drive rule was established in 1902, but similar scenarios can be found elsewhere, challenging its exclusivity.
  3. Examples exist of public roads with unconventional driving directions, such as the Tottenham Hale gyratory system and minor roads like the one in Twickenham.

How To Collect The Lost Churches Of London

359 implied HN points • 15 May 24
💾 History London Collectibles Maps Urban Development
  1. The Lost London Churches project offers 110 collectable cards depicting City of London churches, encouraging exploration of historic buildings and supporting maintenance through donations.
  2. Collectors can visit surviving churches to pick up packs of five random church cards for free, promoting a sense of discovery and community engagement.
  3. In addition to the cards, a Collector's Booklet provides detailed information about the churches and includes a beautifully reworked version of the 1677 Ogilby and Morgan map, offering a rich experience for London history enthusiasts.

London's First Vegetarian Restaurant

539 implied HN points • 01 May 24
🍲 Food & Drink Vegetarian Restaurant History London Diet
  1. London had its first vegetarian restaurant as early as 1879, way before the trend of vegetarianism became popular in the 1960s.
  2. The Alpha Food Reform Restaurant reflected eccentric health beliefs of its founders, Dr. Thomas Low Nichols and Mary Sargeant Gove Nichols, who also promoted questionable health practices like using water baths for curing diseases.
  3. The success of London's first vegetarian restaurant led to the rise of many more vegetarian restaurants across the city, marking the start of a sustained movement that continues today with a growing number of vegan and vegetarian eateries.

The Lost Stones of London

399 implied HN points • 08 May 24
💾 History Historical Events Archaeology Local government
  1. London's geography is linked to ancient stones like Oswald's Stone, which has been almost forgotten, highlighting the city's rich history.
  2. Historic stones in London served various purposes like marking boundaries or council meeting spots, adding unique character to the city's landscape.
  3. Despite being forgotten, remnants of ancient stones like London Stone and Wealdstone can still be found around London, connecting the modern city to its past.

That Time a Volcano Killed a Third of Londoners

499 implied HN points • 24 Apr 24
💾 History
  1. Volcanoes have killed more people in London than in Pompeii, with a huge loss of population due to an eruption that happened far away.
  2. Medieval London suffered a significant impact from a volcanic eruption that caused a major portion of its residents to perish.
  3. The impact of historical volcanic events on populations, even those far away, can be substantial and have long-lasting consequences.

The Big London History Quiz of the Year 2024

199 implied HN points • 17 May 24
💾 History Heritage Events Landmarks Museums
  1. London Historians organize an annual pub quiz testing knowledge about London's history, providing an engaging way for people to learn and have fun.
  2. Upcoming London history events like the Magnificent Music Hall, Dunkirk at the Docks, and Biscuit Day offer unique and educational experiences for interested individuals.
  3. The Big London History Quiz of the Year 2024 covers categories like Picture round, London history, sporting history, Births, Marriages, Deaths, and Plaques and memorials, showcasing the rich historical tapestry of London.

London's Oldest Map, Now in Colour: Part 2

2156 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration History
  1. The Copperplate Map is the oldest known map of London from Tudor times, filled with intricate details.
  2. The map was originally in black and white, making it challenging to see all the details clearly.
  3. Adding color to the map can help bring out the details and make it easier to appreciate the historical features.

Five... Pieces of London's Hitchcockian History

139 implied HN points • 19 May 24
🏝 Travel History Landmarks Culture
  1. London has various locations related to Hitchcock's life and work, such as Leytonstone where he was born and Hackney where he started his career in the film industry.
  2. Visiting Leytonstone allows for a Hitchcock-themed experience, with places like the Hitchcock Hotel and mosaics at Leytonstone tube station paying homage to the director.
  3. Islington Studios in Hackney is where Hitchcock began as an assistant director and later directed his first thriller, showcasing his early career in the film industry.

Into the Sewers: Exploring London's Historic Bowels

339 implied HN points • 17 Apr 24
🏝 Travel Exploration History London
  1. The post explores London's historic sewers, an underground network rarely seen by the public, despite its importance in daily life and discussions about wastewater issues.
  2. The author shares personal experiences and history about their trips into the London sewers, providing a unique perspective on a usually overlooked topic.
  3. Readers can access more of the author's content and explore the full post archives with a 7-day free trial subscription to Londonist: Time Machine.

Why do London's Victorian Roads Feel a Bit... Off?

159 implied HN points • 10 May 24
🎭️ Culture History Architecture Society Heritage Events
  1. Victorian roads in London can feel 'off' because they were built with little regard for existing neighborhoods, often displacing poor residents to create straight through-routes.
  2. 19th-century streets in London were named after monarchs and were designed to flatten slums, resulting in the eradication of historic street plans and poorer communities.
  3. The Victorian approach to road-building in London prioritized efficiency and traffic flow, leading to the destruction of organic streetscapes that had developed over centuries.

The Curious Alleys Of Borough High Street

1078 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🏝 Travel Exploration History Landmarks
  1. The post delves into the historic alleys off Borough High Street in London, revealing centuries of intriguing history.
  2. The author explores the unexpected discoveries made while investigating these alleys, such as Canterbury pilgrims and vanished coaching inns.
  3. Readers can access the full post and archives with a 7-day free trial to Londonist: Time Machine.

John Logie Baird: Why So Many Plaques?

219 implied HN points • 26 Apr 24
🎨 Art & Illustration History
  1. John Logie Baird, TV pioneer, has four plaques in Soho/Covent Garden commemorating his achievements in the television industry.
  2. The plaques on different buildings in the area celebrate various milestones in Baird's work, from first demonstrated television to his first broadcast.
  3. The existence of multiple plaques for John Logie Baird within a short walk raises the question of why there are so many commemorations to the same individual.

Five... Pieces of London's Kubrickian History

39 implied HN points • 02 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture History Film Travel
  1. London offers locations where you can explore and experience Kubrick's legacy, as he spent much of his career working around London.
  2. Beckton Gas Works in London was a notable filming location for movies like Full Metal Jacket, For Your Eyes Only, and 1984, showcasing its versatility on the silver screen.
  3. John Rogers' book 'This Other London' highlights how certain areas in London have changed over time, offering a unique perspective on locations featured in Kubrick's films.

Five... Moments from London's Baseball History

19 implied HN points • 09 Jun 24
🎾 Sports Baseball London History
  1. London has a surprisingly rich history of baseball dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
  2. One of the first large-scale baseball events in London involved teams from Boston and Philadelphia in 1874 at Lord's.
  3. The UK's first recorded baseball game was in 1749 in Walton-on-Thames, involving notable figures like the Prince of Wales.

Zeppelin Attack! Where To See The Scars Of the First Blitz

279 implied HN points • 05 Apr 24
💾 History World War I
  1. London was bombed during World War I by German airships, bringing havoc and death to the city.
  2. The Zeppelin attacks in London during the First World War were a terrifying prelude to the more well-known Blitz of 1940-1941.
  3. Plaques and surviving bomb damage from the First Blitz can still be seen at key sites around London today.

Magnificent Roupell Street: From Swamp to Movie Set

599 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🏝 Travel History
  1. Roupell Street in London, known for its colorful doorways, vintage cars, and unique roofline, is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year.
  2. Despite its picturesque appearance, Roupell Street is steeped in history with nearly two centuries of existence.
  3. By subscribing to Londonist: Time Machine, readers can explore more about the fascinating past of Roupell Street and access full post archives with a 7-day free trial.

Climbing London's Least Historic Hill

319 implied HN points • 29 Mar 24
🏝 Travel Landmarks History Exploration Nature Architecture
  1. London's least historic hill, Stave Hill, was created in 1984 and stands as a modern mound in Rotherhithe, made from old docklands debris within a nature reserve.
  2. The area where Stave Hill now stands was previously occupied by Surrey Commercial Docks, known for handling timber imports, hence the hill's name reflecting the connection to staves used in barrels.
  3. Despite lacking a historical background, Stave Hill has a unique origin story rooted in the transformation of the industrial landscape of Rotherhithe from the 1970s.

What's Left From the 1851 Great Exhibition?

479 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
💾 History Exhibition
  1. The 1851 Great Exhibition in London was a significant cultural event that attracted millions of visitors showcasing treasures like diamonds and clockworks.
  2. The profits from the exhibition were used to build the museums of South Kensington.
  3. The iconic Crystal Palace, which was a highlight of the exhibition, had an enduring legacy.

A Deep Dive Into The Colourised Copperplate

379 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
💾 History London Maps
  1. The article provides a detailed exploration of 90 locations mentioned on the Tudor map's eastern plate, discussing the history and significance of each label.
  2. John Stow, a key London historian from the 16th century, played a crucial role in deciphering the information on the Copperplate map, offering valuable insight into the city's history in that period.
  3. The map reveals interesting historical information about various streets, churches, and landmarks in Tudor London, showcasing how the city has evolved over the centuries.

"Life on This Earth in the Year A.D. 2000"

179 implied HN points • 19 Apr 24
💾 History London Transport Competition Events Architecture
  1. In 1954, there was a competition predicting life in the year 2000, with a focus on London's transport future.
  2. The competition attracted a diverse group of participants from various backgrounds and regions around the world.
  3. Transportation was the most popular topic in the competition, with the winning proposals envisioning rooftop roadways for London in 2000.

Five... Historic London Gardens You Can Explore Next Month

79 implied HN points • 12 May 24
🏝 Travel
  1. Open Gardens in London is an event happening in June where over 100 private gardens open to the public, providing access to historic locations.
  2. One of the gardens to explore is Emery Walker's House in Hammersmith, featuring a garden rich in history with a grapevine from Hogarth's house and terracotta tiles from the late 1800s.
  3. These London gardens offer a unique opportunity to peek behind the scenes of historic buildings and enjoy beautiful views.

Tudor London In Colour: Part 3

359 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Historical Art
  1. The post is about adding color to a 500-year-old map of Tudor London to reveal hidden details.
  2. The article mentions publishing plates from the 1557 Copperplate map, each colored for clarity.
  3. Readers can access the full content by subscribing to Londonist: Time Machine for a 7-day free trial.

Five... History Walking Tours You Can Join in June

39 implied HN points • 26 May 24
🏝 Travel Architecture London
  1. June 1, 2024 marks the start of the 20th London Festival of Architecture with various activities like talks, walks, tours, and workshops celebrating the city's architecture.
  2. Walking tours during the festival offer a chance to explore hidden historical sites such as the lost Walbrook River, providing insights into London's rich architectural history.
  3. The festival includes a mix of well-known landmarks and lesser-known architectural wonders, making it a diverse and exciting event for architecture enthusiasts.

Southwark's Forgotten Royal Palace

419 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
💾 History Architecture
  1. There is a piece about Southwark's forgotten royal palace called Suffolk Place in Londonist's newsletter by Dr Elizabeth Norton and Tudor Places magazine.
  2. Londonist's regular writer, Matt Brown, took a break from the newsletter for a week to spend some time with his kids.
  3. Readers can subscribe to Londonist's Time Machine for a 7-day free trial to access the full post archives.

Every Interesting Elephant Who Ever Came to London

259 implied HN points • 22 Mar 24
💾 History London history
  1. Elephants were once indigenous to the area that would become London, with a long history that involves being part of circuses, zoos, and royal gifts.
  2. Contrary to popular belief, there is no strong evidence that Emperor Claudius used war elephants during the Roman invasion of Britain in AD 43.
  3. Historically, London has had notable elephants like Louis IX of France's gift to Henry III in 1255 and the famous Chunee that lived in Exeter Exchange from 1809 to 1826.

Horse Vs Car: They Called It 200 Years Ago

259 implied HN points • 20 Mar 24
💾 History London Transportation
  1. In the early 20th century, London rapidly transitioned from a horse-drawn city to a city flooded with cars and motor-buses, a change that had been predicted for nearly a century.
  2. The transformation from horses to cars in London was seen as a significant and swift evolution, presenting challenges that were not foreseen by many in the past.
  3. Over generations, people in London anticipated the shift from horse-drawn transportation to motor vehicles, hinting at the changes that were to come in the city's future.

The Remarkable (and Grim) History of Southwark Bridge

718 implied HN points • 03 Jan 24
💾 History London Tragedy
  1. Southwark Bridge has a remarkable and dark history with sacrifices made during its construction.
  2. The bridge suffered an explosion after being built, adding to its tragic past.
  3. Despite its significant history, Southwark Bridge remains one of London's least recognized bridges.

Five... Portraits of St. Paul's Cathedral

79 implied HN points • 05 May 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual art History
  1. The post features depictions of St. Paul's Cathedral from different centuries, including maps, essays, paintings, and wartime photography.
  2. One of the depictions is a Copperplate map of London from the 1550s, showing Old St. Paul's Cathedral before the Great Fire of 1666.
  3. Another depiction is a painting by Canaletto from around 1754, showcasing St. Paul's Cathedral in its historical setting.

Mapping the London of Sherlock Holmes

419 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
🏝 Travel Mapping
  1. Sherlock Holmes is deeply associated with London, with many places in the city linked to the fictional character.
  2. Holmes' claim to have exact knowledge of London raises questions about the role of the city in the stories.
  3. The Victorian city of London plays a significant role in the stories of Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes.

A Celebration (And Map!) Of London: The Biography

499 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration History Culture Literature Travel Books
  1. Peter Ackroyd's 'London: The Biography' is a captivating book that deeply explores London's history through themed chapters.
  2. Mapping the geobibliome of 'London: The Biography' reveals Ackroyd's thorough coverage of central London with fewer mentions of areas south of the river.
  3. Reading 'London: The Biography' can inspire a deeper connection with the city and spark a lifelong interest in its history and exploration.

The Oldest Map Of London... Now In Colour

878 implied HN points • 29 Nov 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Mapping History
  1. The Copperplate map is the earliest-known map of London and showcases the streets, buildings, and people of 16th century London.
  2. The map is a wonder of Tudor engraving, offering a unique glimpse into the history and layout of London from that era.
  3. Accessing the map and detailed information about it may require a subscription to Londonist: Time Machine.