November 07

Born in 1878, Frank Pick began his career as a solicitor before joining the Underground Group in 1906. He quickly rose to become the chief executive of London Transport, where he championed the idea that aesthetic quality was as important as operational efficiency. Pick commissioned the Johnston typeface, collaborated with leading artists and architects, and introduced cohesive signage and posters that transformed the Underground into a cultural landmark. His emphasis on high standards of design forged a new model for corporate identity in public services. Even after his retirement, Pick’s principles continued to influence transport design around the world.

Piero Dusio (1899–1975) began his career as a footballer before turning to business and motorsport. After playing professionally in Italy, he founded the Cisitalia automotive company, producing innovative sports cars. Under his leadership, Cisitalia cars achieved success in races like the Mille Miglia and influenced post-war sports car design. He also established Scuderia Cisitalia, a racing team that competed in Grand Prix events. Despite financial challenges, Dusio's passion for engineering and competition drove his ventures forward. His legacy lives on through classic Cisitalia models celebrated for their design excellence.

Joey Manley (1965-2013) was an American publisher and pioneer in digital comics. He founded Modern Tales, one of the first online subscription services for webcomics. Manley launched additional platforms like Girlamatic and Serializer to support independent creators. His innovative approach empowered comic artists to reach global audiences. He helped legitimize webcomics as a form of contemporary storytelling. Manley’s work laid the foundation for today’s digital comics industry.