Rhymes of history as described by Thornburg (2009) looks at technology and the repetition of its uses throughout human history. The need to navigate is one example of how technology changes but performs the same task. Sailors used the stars but this method was made more efficient with the development of azimuth technology. Map making became more and more skilled as technology was developed but the product was the same just more efficient. Sonar allowed us to map the bottom of the ocean until satellite technology allowed us to map more efficiently even though we have actually only SEEN about 1% of the actual bottom of the ocean. Handheld GPS allow us now to know our exact location anywhere on the planet once again because of satellite technology. Maps were our best way to know our locations before the development of this GPS technology. Mapping technology has moved to Google Earth and our ability to see anyplace on the globe at any given moment. In the future there is the possibility of roads that will contain GPS information which increase safety for an ever increasing driving population.
http://www.gps.gov/applications/roads/
In a sense, mapping and traveling technology has gone full circle. From the ancient sailors using natural space objects (the stars) to navigate their course to modern travelers using artificial space objects (satellites) to navigate their course.
ReplyDeleteI had not thought of that until I read your posting. Interesting.
I agree that mapping and traveling technology may have come full circle but they might be used in conjunction with other technologies. It makes sense that the GPS technology designed for mobile devices such as smart phones and tablets will undergo improvements which make their functionality as robust as dedicated devices or web based options.
ReplyDeleteYou make a great point about navigation. It's amazing how far technology has come. I remember having a compass as a child and a map book. But I now rely on an app on my phone to give me directions to my destination. Not only do we have the technology to do this but they also give you turn by turn directions aloud. It's very convenient but I also find it funny when my app gets me lost every once and in awhile.
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