The Thames Tunnel was the brain child of Marc Brunel and Thomas Cochrane. In January of 1818, Brunel and Thomas Cochrane patented the tunnelling shield (illustrated in Fig.3), a revolutionary advance in tunnelling technology. In 1823, Brunel produced a plan for a tunnel between Rotherhithe and Wapping, which would be dug using his new shield. Financing was soon found from private investors including the Duke of Wellington and a Thames Tunnel Company was formed in 1824, with the project beginning in February 1825.

As the construction work was so slow - at some 3-4 meters a week - it was decided, in 1827, to allow public tours of the tunnel. The general public were charged 1 shilling per person; viewing times were from Monday to Saturday seven in the morning till eight in the evening. The scheme proved to be popular and an estimated 600-800 visitors per day came to marvel at its construction.