Geographic Information Systems: An Introduction, 3rd Edition

17.1 Technology and Organization

17.1.1 Historical background

In many ways, the evolution of the applications of geographic information mirrors the course of history. From the earliest seagoing charts to the most recent star atlases, maps have reflected not only a contemporary knowledge of the world but also the contemporary technologies employed to gather it (Figure 17.1). From the earliest Roman census compiled for taxation purposes, to the Domesday Book, to modern demographic studies, overviews of populations and their distribution have recorded stages in the development of commerce, trade, and government. Conversely, many of the quests for improved georeferenced information have spawned changes that have affected history. The search for a reliable method of measuring longitude during the sixteenth, seventeenth, and early eighteenth centuries triggered the first government sponsorship of scientific research projects. Similarly, research into nuclear weaponry during the 1930s and 1940s led to development of the digital computer, one of the earlier examples of civilian benefits resulting from military R&D spending.

Initially, individual mapmakers expended considerable time for a limited gain in knowledge of their immediate areas, even though maps were established as useful sources of geographic information. The desire for innovation spurred progress: the need for accurate longitudinal measurement, the development of the theodolite, machine printing, photogrammetry, aerial photography, ...