Geography 59A Brief History of Cartography

and Present-Day Identity Problems

June 14, 2007

Very Early Maps

2nd century AD

Early beginnings of understanding the Earth's place in the universe (Western hemisphere understanding)

Slightly Later

Common Theme

Common Theme?

Common Theme?

'Colonial' Cartography

Many of the 'traditions' followed today in map layout began during the 'colonial' conquest of the world, beginning in the 1500's (Spain), continuing until the 1900's (England, France)

Transition #1: World Wars

● World Wars..US becomes more involved● 1938 – Single Cartography Text by E. Raisz ● Considered to be a multidisciplinary field● However, tended to be limited to drafting and

drawing of landforms and features (WM Davis and geomorpohology, land use maps)

● Why might there have been a transition??

Driving forces for development

● Radar

● Aircraft Advances/Aerial imagery

● Grid systems (gun precision)

● May others...

Cartography – 1940's to 1950's

● Universities paved the way for new programs in cartography (alongside geography), journals began to publish cartographic ideas

● Many qualified GI's entering university● Jobs in municipalities, public utilities, planning● Advent of thematic mapping● Development in other countries/data

management (World Bank, 1945)

Cartography – 1960's to 1970's

● 'Cartographer' is a real job title● Remains a technical art form (pens, pencils,

advanced knowledge of printing)● Major university programs to the doctoral level

– University of Kansas, Lawrence **– University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI– Clark University, Worcester, MA

Cartography – 1970's to present

● What was the really big development?

● How might this have affected 'cartographers' ?

● Are we still seeing the effects today?

Computing and Cartography

● The improvement of database technology and graphics led the way for UI-based GIS (GIS did go through a command-line phase)

● More imagery via air and satellite meant more multiple-source imagery

● How might this have affected cartography?

Big Trends

● Google Earth – KML standard – KML is a file format used to display 'geographic

data' in 'Earth Browsers'– A profit-driven company – Leading the way in their own 'standard'

● Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC)– Standards for geospatial location-based services– A consortium of 339 organizations working together

to provide specifications for various geospatial products including web applications (map servers)

?? Identity Crisis??What is cartography now ??

● Art – neatness, layout, color, aesthetics● Science – environment, other phenomena● Technology – the Web, laptops, GPS'● Dynamic – the Web, databases, mobile devices● Interactive – user population highly varied ● .....Maybe all these things...● A new term: 'geovisualization'

Important new aspects

● Usability– A field of specialization on its own– Merging of language, communication and cognition

● Technology– Rapidly changing technologies– No longer limited to geographic specialists, but

includes many experts: technologists, usability experts, programmers, and graphic artists

Back to Earth

● Exciting new aspects, yes, but you still may need to develop a map in the workplace, perhaps after a long GIS project...

● Where does it fit?

Group Discussion

● Handout – scenario in the workplace ● Where does cartography fit in?● Open-ended questions, not meant for right or

wrong, but to generate some thought about possible situations

● Spend 15 minutes discussing, then share ideas

Group Discussion

● Where does cartography fit