Taxicabs are regulated throughout the United Kingdom, but the regulation of taxicabs in London is especially rigorous with regard to mechanical integrity and driver knowledge. An official report observed that: "Little however is known about the regulation by anyone outside the trade. The Public Carriage Office, which regulates and licenses taxis and private hire (commonly known as minicabs) was transferred from the Metropolitan Police to become part of Transport for London in 2000."
The Knowledge is a 1979 British comedy-drama television film about a group of young men doing "The Knowledge", the training required to become a London taxi driver. It was directed by Bob Brooks with an ensemble cast including Nigel Hawthorne, Mick Ford, Jonathan Lynn and Maureen Lipman.
Four out of work Londoners apply to do "The Knowledge" to become London taxi drivers. They have to contend with learning 20,000 streets and 500 set routes as well as Mr Burgess, a notoriously sadistic examiner from the Public Carriage Office.
In 1978 Jack Rosenthal received a telephone call from Bob Brooks, an American who had lived in London for many years, wanting to make a film about something "exclusive to London". After some discussion they decided on "The Knowledge", the training and testing required to become a driver of a Hackney carriage. They initially pitched the idea to Euston Films as a feature-length drama before settling on the concept of a comedy-drama. Executive producer Verity Lambert agreed to commission a 90 minute television film, despite reservations that Rosenthal and Brooks would struggle working together. Rosenthal researched the story by accompanying taxi drivers around London to collect their stories about doing The Knowledge. Lambert later recalled "Jack Rosenthal and Bob Brooks had this good idea - it was Bob's idea and Jack wrote it."
The Knowledge is a 2010 mural by Harrell Fletcher and Avalon Kalin, installed on the Portland State University campus in Portland, Oregon, in the United States.
The Knowledge is a mural depicting books from Portland State University's (PSU) Branford Price Millar Library, installed along Southwest Fifth Avenue between Hall and College streets on the campus. According to PSU, the book titles "reflect education and sustainability efforts" and were selected by students, faculty, and staff.
The artist wrote on his official website:
We forge our history through
Selfish Lust and Sinful schemes where
Buildings burn and children scream
echoing our soft defeat
It clutched me it takes control
Drowning out the life that's in this soul
sinking in to claim this flame
when the morning comes
we are the lost
We are the lost
we've lost control
no bridge to gap
just burn and go
no remorse for the past, it burns
no safety for this soul
It clutches me it take control
drowning out the life thats in this soul
sinking in to claim this flame
when the morning comes
We are the lost
It clutches me
it take control
Lost in in my insanity
lost the will to still believe
Sent by those who stood by me
proceed to constant misery
a fire burning through the night
illuminating the demise
and when the smoke clears
the world will be mine
It clutches me it take control
drowning out the life that's in this soul
sinking in to claim this flame
when the morning comes