GIS HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT
But where did it all begin?
Advancements in GIS was the result of several technologies. Databases, computer mapping, remote sensing, programming, geography, mathematics, computer aided design, and computer science all played a key role in the development of GIS. Today, we'll uncover some of the key moments in the history of GIS that has shaped it what it has become today:
Before 1960: The GIS Dark Ages
In the 1950s, maps were simple. They had their place in vehicle routing, new development planning and locating points of interest. But none of this was done on computers. Imagine a world without computer mapping. One option was sieve mapping. Sieve mapping used transparent layers on light tables to identify areas of overlap. But this came with challenges: calculating areas was next to impossible, data was coarse and often inaccurate and measuring distances was cumbersome. With all the issues that came with paper maps, it was no surprise that cartographers and spatial users wanted to explore computing options for handling geographic data. In the history of GIS, this was the main incentive to shift from paper to computer mapping.
Enter Roger Tomlinson - the father of GIS.
It was during Roger Tomlinson's tenure with the Canadian government in the 1960s when he initiated, planned and directed the development of the Canadian Geographic System (CGIS). This was a key time in the history of GIS because many consider CGIS as the roots of Geographic Information Systems. CGIS was unique because it adopted a layer approach system to map handling. Roger TomlinsonGreat discoveries and improvements invariably involve the cooperation of many minds. I may be given credit for having blaze the trail of GIS. But when I look at the subsequent development, I feel the credit is due to others rather than just myself. Because of the vast amount of territory Canada occupies, the idea for a Canadian Land Inventory was developed in 1964. But it wasn't until 1971 that it became fully operational. The Canadian Land Inventory used soil, drainage and climate characteristics to determine land capability for crop types and forested areas. It quickly recognized that accurate and relevant data was vital to land planning and decision-making. Over the years CGIS had been modified and improved to keep pace with technology.
Paper Mapping Analysis with Cholera Clusters
John SnowDr. John Snow used mapping to illustrate how cases of cholera were centered around a water pump. Many people thought the disease was propagating through the air. However, this map helped show that cholera was being spread through the water. The history of GIS all started in 1854. Cholera hit the city of London, England. British physician John Snow began mapping outbreak locations, roads, property boundaries and water lines. When he added these features to a map, something interesting happened: He saw that Cholera cases were commonly found along the water line.
1990 to 2010: User Proliferation
Map CollaborationUsers are starting to adopt GIS technology in different ways. Classrooms, businesses, governments around the world are starting to harness digital mapping and analysis. All the ingredients were ready for the infiltration of GIS to the people: Cheaper, faster and more powerful computers. Multiple software options and data availability The launch of new satellites and integration of remote sensing technology. 1990 to 2010 was the period in the history of GIS when it really took off.
Where did GIS begin?
Mapping has revolutionized how we think about location. Maps are important decision-making tools. They help us get to places. And they are becoming more immersed in our everyday lives.
2010 to Onward: The Open Source Explosion
Open MappingWith users getting accustomed to GIS software, this has sparked a new revelation in GIS - an open source explosion. Amazing projects like QGIS are providing any user with a computer with GIS software. Processors are now in gigahertz. Graphics cards are crisper than they've ever been before. We now think of GIS data storage in terabytes. It's no longer megabytes. GIS data has become more ubiquitous. TIGER data, Landsat satellite imagery and even LiDAR data is accessible to download for free. Online repositories like ArcGIS Online store massive amounts of spatial data. It's a matter of quality control and fitting it for your needs.But what stands out is the big shift of GIS users building their own GIS software in an open, collaborative way. This software is made available to the public and is called open source. The big plus is: they are for public use at no cost. Open source is becoming mainstream today. We are gradually entering an era of open source GIS software. More light is shining on QGIS than ever before. Even though, there will always be a place for commercial GIS software. Software companies like Esri provide solutions to practically any spatial problem that exists today.