Walking through time
Imagine walking through the streets of London, traversing the centuries. One minute you’re gazing over the Covent Garden Piazza in the 1720s, the next you’re on Carnaby in the swinging 60s. Sound like a HG Wells fantasy? Thanks to a new iPhone app from the Museum of London it’s become a fascinating reality.
The free Streetmuseum app features hundreds of historical images from the museum’s collections, all plotted on an interactive map. Hold your iPhone up to the horizon and it even gives you an Augmented Reality view of the nearest sites of interest, along with how far away each one is. Once you’re there, just hold your iPhone up to the present day street scene and see the same London location appears on your screen, offering you a window through time. Tap the information button and you get historical facts, and create your own trails around London.
And the fun doesn’t end there. As the museum points out, “with thousands of years of turbulent history, London has changed many times so some streets or buildings may not exist today. Where precise locations aren’t available, relish the challenge of identifying recognisable landmarks which may offer you clues as to the current day site. A street name in the background or a church spire in the distance may be all you need to find the view. Our descriptions can also help you locate the right spot.”
Happy time travelling!
