The iconic Silver Jubilee Routemaster Double Decker buses built by AEC were launched in 1977. The first prototype was launched in 1954, and these buses were painted silver to commemorate Queen's Silver Jubilee.
The Great Fire of London that began in 1666, would totally burn down the medieval part of the city, destroying around 13,200 homes, 87 parish churches,the famous St. Paul's Cathedral and most of the official buildings.
The fire would rage through London for 4 days, ending on September 6. Two factors contributed to putting down the fire, one was the strong east winds dying down, another Tower Of London, using gunpowder to create firebreaks.
London’s iconic Metro began in 1863 between Paddington and Farringdon. The city’s population explosion in the 19th century necessitated innovative solutions to reduce street congestion, leading to the development of the underground railway.
The Metropolitan Railway was a pioneering engineering feat, utilizing cut-and-cover construction to lay tracks under the city streets, significantly influencing the design of future urban rail systems.
The world's first emergency call service, was introduced in London in 1937. 999, was the number choosen, as it was the easiest to use on rotary dial, as well as easy to remember, and convenient in any condition.
The reason for this was a fire accident in 1935 which 5 women were killed in a house. One of the neighbours tried to telephone the fire brigade, but found his call held up in waiting, which made him write a letter to the Times.
After a Govt inquiry, it was decided that failure of prompt action cost lives. The 999 service was initially implemented around Oxford Circus. After WWII, it was implemented in other major cities, and by 1976, the whole of UK was covered under it.
William Cooke and Charles Wheatstone demonstrated the first commercial use of electric telegraph in 1837, a form of needle telegraph, on the railway line between Euston and Camden Town in London.
Their first commercial success was on Great Western Railway. This invention, faced a bitter dispute over credit, resolved by arbitration in 1841, with Cooke buying out Wheatstone’s share, a testament to the tensions between commercial and scientific priorities.
Sir Robert Peel founded London's Metropolitan Police Dept in 1829, simply called the Met. He would also lay down the rules of policing, and the nickname given to the cops, "Bobbies" comes from his name. He was also one of the founders of the Conservative Party.
HMS Lutine sank during a storm in the North Sea in 1779, carrying a large shipment of gold. The bell salvaged from the ship, would be placed at Lloyds in London, and used to signal the loss of a ship or safe return. And now on certain occasions too.
The Portland Spy Ring cracked in 1961, by British authorities in London, was one of the major Soviet spy rings that operated from late 1950s. The ring was cracked on tip off from a mole codenamed Sniper to CIA, about information on Royal Navy being leaked.
The culprits were Harry Houghton, a former sailor,his mistress Ethel Gee, and Gordon Lonsdale, a Canadian businessman. As also Peter and Helen Kroger, a couple dealing in antiques.