The Way It Was Dept. : Time Travel London
The Museum of London has released a series of intriguing images that has made Time Travel Photography possible, or could it be that some amazing image manipulation has been at work, probably the latter? Whatever is going on the effect is quite fantastic, and it’s all to do with an award-winning app.
When the Museum of London’s multi award-winning app, Streetmuseum was updated with over 100 new locations and images ranging from 1868 to 2003, it provided an even more extensive window into London’s history. To give a sample of what users can expect, the museum has released sixteen ghostly images which juxtapose the historic views with their present day perspective.
Covent Garden c.1930-2014
Streetmuseum 2.0, developed with creative agency Brothers And Sisters, guides users to sites across London, where hidden histories of the city dramatically appear illuminated thanks to the Museum of London’s extensive art and photographic collections. It is the first major update since the original app launch in 2010, and is bigger and better, with improved functionality, with an option to order prints for some of the images direct from the Museum of London website.
Victoria Station 1950-2014
The app allows users to select a destination from a London map or use geo-tagging and Google Maps to pinpoint their location. Once selected, a historical image of their London location appears onscreen, which can be expanded and explored in detail, along with historical information about the subject. For those using the app in situ, using the “3D view” button, the app will recognise your location and overlay the historic image over the current view – augmenting the reality that the smartphone camera perceives.
Oxford Street c.1903 – 2014
The photographs for the 2014 update were taken by renowned late 19th and 20th century photographers including Henry Grant, Wolfgang Suschitsky, Roger Mayne and George Davison Reid, and include locations in London which have changed dramatically in the intervening years. These include Blackfriars station c.1930, Victoria Station in 1950, the view of London’s skyline from Tower Bridge c.1930, and Brick Lane in 1957.
Click on the thumbnails to open the images.
The new locations also expand to the suburbs and outer boroughs of London – from Richmond mods in 1964, Brent Cross road construction in the 1970’s to Ealing Suffragettes in 1912 – providing an even more comprehensive reach for the app.
Anna Sparham, Curator of Photographs at the Museum of London, said: “Our collection provides a fabulous visual history of London, across all aspects of London life. Streetmuseum 2.0 allows these photographs to be seen by a new audience, and in a thrilling context.”
Andy Fowler, Founder of Brothers And Sisters, said: “When we created Streetmuseum, little did we know it would become one of the world’s most awarded and mimicked apps ever. Now with the improved functionality and an updated library of iconic pictures, Streetmuseum 2.0 looks set to top the most downloaded app charts for 2014 too.”
About the Museum of London
The Museum of London tells the ever-changing story of this great world city and the people who live there, from 450,000 BC (!) to the present day. Their galleries, exhibitions, displays and activities seek to inspire a passion for London and provide a sense of the vibrancy that makes this city such a unique and exciting place.
All images Copyright © Museum of London and reproduced with permission.
