History

of GIS
Prof. Maria Antonia Brovelli
References:
Milestones of GIS - The Geospatial resource portal GIS
development
http://www.gisdevelopment.net/history/index.htm
Milestones in the History of Thematic Cartography, Statistical
Graphics and Data Visualization -
http://www.math.yorku.ca/SCS/Gallery/milestone/
History of GIS unit 23
http://www.geog.ubc.ca/courses/klink/gis.notes/ncgia/u23.html
The American Cartographer Vol 15(3), 1988
Open source GIS history
http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Open_Source_GIS_History
Esri company history
http://www.esri.com/company/about/history.html
Base maps
1903
1637 - Coordinate systems, mathematics, analytic geometry were
reintroduced; relationship established between graphed line and
equation - Pierre de Fermat (1601-1665) and Ren Descartes
(1596-1650), France.
maps of the Battle of
Yorktown (American Revolution
- 1781) drawn by the French
Cartographer Louis-Alexandre
Berthier contained hinged
overlays to show troop
movements
the mid-19th Century "Atlas
to Accompany the Second
Report of the Irish Railway
Commissioners" showed
population, traffic flow,
geology and topography
superimposed on the same
base map
Overlays Geographic Analysis
1819
Cartogram, map with shadings from black to white (distribution
and intensity of illiteracy in France), the first choropleth map, and
perhaps the first modern statistical map (Pierre Charles Dupin,
France).
Choropleth maps
A choropleth map is a thematic map in
which areas are shaded or patterned in
proportion to the measurement of the
statistical variable being displayed on
the map
1855
Use of a dot
map to display
epidemiological
data, leads to
discovery of
the source of a
cholera
epidemic- J ohn
Snow (1813-
1858 ),
England.
Dot maps
Pictogram
1884
Pictogram, used to represent data by icons proportional to a
number- Michael George Mulhall (1836-1900), England.
MB1
Diapositiva 8
MB1 http://webgis2.como.polimi.it:8080/sosmago/
Maria Brovelli; 08/03/2010
1623
The first known adding machine, a mechanical calculator called
the ``Calculating Clock.'' It could add and subtract up to six-digit
numbers, based on the movement of six dented wheels geared
through a "mutilated" wheel which with every full turn allowed the
wheel located at the right to rotate 1/10th of a full turn - Wilhelm
Schickard (1592-1635), Tubingen, Germany.
Computer science
1884
Invention of the punched card for use in a machine to
tabulate the USA Census (in 1890: 65 million of people in 1
month). Hollerith's company eventually became IBM - Herman
Hollerith (1860-1929), USA.
Punched card: a piece of stiff paper that contains
digital information represented by the presence or
absence of holes in predefined positions.
1944
Harvard's Mark I, the first digital computer, put in service.
Officially known as the ``IBM Automatic Sequence Controlled
Calculator'' (ASCC), the Mark I was more than 15 meters long and
weighed about 5 tons.- Howard H. Aiken (1900-1973) and Grace
Hopper (1906-1992), USA.
1939
Description of a MEMEX, an associative information retrieval
system which would help someone find information based in
association and context rather than strict categorical indexing;
conceptual creation of ``hyperlink'' and the ''World Wide Web''-
Vannevar Bush (1890-1974), USA.
1958-61
Geographic Information Systems (GISs) were developed
in the 1950s and 1960s, primarily in the public sector.
University of Washington, Department of Geography,
research on advanced statistical methods, rudimentary computer
programming, computer cartography:
Nystuen - fundamental spatial concepts - distance, orientation,
connectivity
Tobler - computer algorithms for map projections, computer
cartography
Bunge - theoretical geography - geometric basis for geography -
points, lines and areas
Berry's Geographical Matrix: organization of geographic data
along three axes: spatial (geographic), temporal (historic),
thematic (attribute) (where-when-what)
Canada Geographic Information
System (CGIS)
Roger
Tomlinson
Canada Geographic Information Systemis an example of one of
the earliest GISs developed, started from 1963 (still operating:
http://geogratis.cgdi.gc.ca/CLI/index_agriculture.html)
Purpose:
to analyze the data collected by the Canada Land Inventory (CLI)
to produce statistics to be used in developing land management plans
The CLI created maps which:
classify land using various themes:
soil capability for agriculture
recreation capability
capability for wildlife (ungulates)
capability for wildlife (waterfowl)
forestry capability
present land use
shoreline
were developed at map scales of 1:50,000
use a simple rating scheme:
1 (best) to 7 (poorest), with detailed qualification codes
Perception was that computers could perform analyses once the data
had been input
CGIS required the development of new technology
no previous experience in how to structure data internally
no precedent for GIS operations of overlay and area
measurement
experimental scanner had to be built for map input
Key ideas
1. use of SCANNING for input of high density area objects
(maps had to be redrafted (scribed) for scanning)
2. VECTORISATION of scanned images
3. geographical partitioning of data into "map sheets" or "TILES" but
with EDGEMATCHING across tile boundaries
4. partitioning of data into themes or LAYERS
5. use of ABSOLUTE SYSTEM of coordinates for entire country with
precision adjustable to resolution of data (the number of digits of
precision can be set by the system manager and changed from layer
to layer)
6. internal representation of line objects as chains of incremental moves
in 8 compass directions rather than straight lines between points
(FREEMAN CHAIN CODE)
7. coding of area object boundaries by ARC, with pointers to left and
right area objects
8. first "TOPOLOGICAL" SYSTEM with planar enforcement in each layer,
relationships between arcs and areas coded in the database
9. implementation of functions for POLYGON OVERLAY, measurement of
AREA, user-defined circles and polygons for QUERY
The IDS (Imagery Data Set) consisted of text and numeric
symbols and contained the information to construct a map;
the DDS (Descriptor Data Set) consisted of text and numeric
symbols that represented descriptive data elements for each
geographic entity.
10. separation of data into attribute and locational files
* "descriptor dataset" (DDS) and "image dataset" (IDS)
* concept of attribute table
mid 1960s
Initial development of geographic information systems, combining
spatially-referenced data, spatial models and map-based
visualization.
1964
Harvard Laboratory for Computer Graphics (and Spatial
Analysis) was established by Howard Fisher. This lab had major
influence on the development of GIS until early 1980s. Many
pioneers of newer GIS "grew up" at the Harvard lab.
1965
The development of the GBF-DIME files by the
U.S. Census Bureau marked the large-scale
adoption of digital mapping by the U.S.
government. This system led to the production of
the Census TIGER files, one of the most
important socioeconomic spatial data sets in use
today. (Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and
Referencing system)
1966
Howard Fisher developed SYMAP (Synagraphic Mapping System) a
general-purpose mapping package, producing isoline, choropleth
and proximal maps on a line printer. It was characterized by poor
resolution and limited functionality, but is was also simple to use. It
represented a way for the non-cartographer to make maps and it
was a first real demonstration of ability of computers to make
maps.
late 1960s
CALFORMwas developed. It is an improvement of SYMAP:
SYMAP on a plotter
user avoided double-coding of internal boundaries by inputting a
table of point locations, plus a set of polygons defined by
sequences of point IDs
more cosmetic than SYMAP - North arrows, better legends
SYMAP
late 1960s
SYMVU was developed:
3D perspective views of SYMAP output
first new form of display of spatial data to
come out of a computer
GRIDwas developed:
raster cells could be displayed using the
same output techniques as SYMAP
developed to allow multiple input layers of
raster cells; beginnings of raster GIS
used to implement the ideas of overlay
(1969: Ian McHarg in his book "Design with
Nature", popularized the use of
georeferenced transparent map overlays for
resource planning purposes)
1969
Data formats begin to emerge and private vendors began offering
GIS packages:
Environmental Science Research Institute (ESRI) is founded by J ack
and Laura Dangermond as a privately held consulting group. The
business began with $1100 from their personal savings and operated
out of an historic home located in Redlands, California.
J im Meadlock establishes Intergraph Corporation (originally called M
& S Computing Inc).
early 1970s
POLYVRT
various alternative ways of forming area objects
motivated by need of computer mapping packages for
flexible input, transfer of boundary files between systems,
growing supply of data in digital form, e.g. from Bureau of
the Census
mid 1970s
ODYSSEY
extended POLYVRT idea beyond format conversion to a
comprehensive analysis package based on vector data
first robust, efficient algorithm for polygon overlay -
included sliver removal
1971
The Canada Geographic Information System (CGIS) becomes fully
operational.
General Information System for Planning (GISP) is developed by the
US Department of the Environment.
Maryland Automatic Geographic Information (MAGI), one of the first
statewide GIS projects begins in US.
1974
The first AUTOCARTO (International Symposium on Computer
Assisted Cartography) conference is held in Reston (Virginia).
1976
Minnesota Land Management Information System (MLMIS), another
significant state-wide GIS, begins as a research project at the
Centre for Urban and Regional Analysis, University of Minnesota.
1977
The USGS (U.S. Geological Survey) develops the Digital Line Graph
(DLG) spatial data format.
1978
ESRI develops the first version of Arc/Info, the current leading
GIS software package.
ERDAS is founded.
the 1980s
Second GIS phase: the GIS was pushed to evolve
towards analysis.
In this stage more functions for USER INTERACTION were
developed mainly in a graphical way by a user friendly
interface (GUI, Graphical User Interface).
It gave to the user the ability to sort, select, extract,
reclassify, re-project and display data on the basis of
complex geographical, topological and statistical
criteria.
The suppliers increased their knowledge on existing and
growing data analyses techniques, specific subject matters
(e.g.: ecology and hydrology), and data context issues.
While data storage were still mainly centralized the
users access became more decentralized.
1982
ESRI's ARC/INFO1.0, the first commercially available GIS
software package, which ran on mainframe computers
(www.esri.com/company/about/history.html) was released.
Army Corps of Engineers at the Construction Engineering Research
Laboratory (CERL) started the development of the GIS GRASS
Geographic Resources Analysis Support System as a raster based
GIS programme for land management at military installations
1987
The International J ournal of Geographical Information
Analysis gets published.
Tydac releases SPANS GIS.
Ron Eastman starts the IDRISI Project at Clark University
1986
Laszlo Bardos, Andrew Dressel, J ohn Haller, Mike Marvin and
Sean OSullivan founded MapInfo.
ESRI's PC ARC/INFO 1.0, the first GIS software available for
the personal computer, was released.
1988
First public release of the US bureau of Census TIGER
(Topographically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing)
digital data products.
Founded as GIS World, the monthly magazine GEO World, the
worlds first magazine for geographic technology gets published.
The National Centre for Geographic Information and Analysis
(NCGIA, http://www.ncgia.ucsb.edu/) is established in the USA.
1989
Intergraph launches MGE (Modular GIS Environment).
The desktop image processing software, ER Mapper is launched.
1992
In Lebanon, the Electricite du Libau (EDL) decides to rebuild the
entire nations electricity network in GIS environment.
ESRI released ArcView1.0, a desktop mapping system with a
graphical user interface that marked a major improvement in
usability over Arc/Infos command-line interface
(http://www.esri.com/company/about/history.html).
the 1990s
Starting from the 1990s GIS entered in a new era. As
computing power increased and hardware prices
plummeted, the GIS became a viable technology for state
and municipal planning. In this third phase of evolution
GIS is asked to become a real Management Information
System(MIS), and thus able to support decision making
processes.
1993
Steve Putz developed PARC, the first Web-based interactive map
Viewer;
The European Umbrella Organization for Geographic Information
(EUROGI) is established in Europe.
1994
The Open GIS Consortiumaiming at developing publicly available
geo-processing specifications was founded.
http://www.opengeospatial.org/
The PARC Xerox internet viewer
Create maps like this
one of the world at
the Xerox PARC Map
Viewer
http://www.mat.univie.ac.at/
~neum/contrib/usa.jpg
1994
National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) is formed in US by
an executive order of President Bill Clinton.
PCI Geomatics, a geomatics solution company is formed.
1995
National Geographic Data Framework (NGDF) established in UK.
ESRI released Spatial Database Engine (SDE), an innovative
tool for storing and managing GIS data in a commercially available
database management system (DBMS).
1997
The University of Minnesota (UMN) released MapServer 1.0, an
open source development environment for building spatially-enabled
Internet applications (http://mapserver.org/)
ESRI released ArcViewInternet Map Server (IMS), a commercial
tool for publishing GIS data over the Internet.
1999
GRASS 5.0 is released under GNU GPL by the GRASS Development
Team (http://grass.itc.it/). The first major change in years, this
version incorporates floating point calculations and NULL support into
GRASS raster engine.
2001
Refraction Research released PostGIS 0.1
(http://postgis.refractions.net/), an open source "spatially enabler"
adding support for geographic objects to the PostgreSQL object
relational database.
2002
ESRI began offering a wide selection of GIS software compatible
with the Linux operating system. ArcIMS 4, ArcSDE 8.2, MapObjects-
-J ava Standard Edition, and ArcExplorer 4 software are all supported
on Linux.
2005
GRASS 6.0.0 is released with new interface, vector engine, and
database support.
the 2000s
Smart Objects
Wireless Technology
Field Data Collection
Spatial Data Infrastructure
Internet (GIS Services)
Sensor web
Web 2.0
Multidimensional web
Spatial Data
Infrastructure
Networked
Networked
GIS
GIS
(Global)
(Global)
Networked
Networked
GIS
GIS
(Local)
(Local)
Figure ESRI
Stand Alone
Stand Alone
GIS
GIS
GIS Evolution
1957
Launch of Sputnik mounting
cameras for Earth observation
(URRS).
1960
First meteorological satellite (TIROS-1) is
launched (USA).
Transit System was developed.
1962
USSRs first Cosmos satellite is launched.
Britains first satellite Ariel is launched.
1946
First space pictures obtained from
V-2 rockets launched at White
Sands Proving Ground
(New Mexico).
Earth
Observation
1968
Apollo 8 Space programme returns the first pictures
of the Earth from deep space.
The first Geostationary Operational Environmental
Satellite (GOES) is developed and launched by NASA.
Later on it was transferred to NOAA (National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration) for day-to-day
activities.
1969
NASA succeeds with a great start on the Moon and in orbit around
the Earth. As the link up between Apollo and Soyuz, Skylab
establishes a lasting presence in space.
1970
Operational System for collecting information about the Earth on a
repetitive schedule starts with the help of the instruments like Skylab
(later, the Space Shuttle) (EREP - Earth Resources
Experiment Package)
1972
The first Landsat satellite is launched (originally known as ERTS-1)
by NASA that was dedicated to mapping natural and cultural
resources on land and ocean surfaces.
1974
The first Synchronous Meteorological Satellite, SMS-1 operational
prototype is launched.
Tsikada system was developed.
1975
Indias first indigenous scientific satellite Aryabhata is launched by
the Soviet launch vehicle.
European Space Agency is formed.
Landsat 2 is launched
1978
A Radar Imaging System, the main sensor on Seasat, is launched
(Seasat 1 survived only for 99 days).
Coastal Zone Color Scanner (CZSC) instrument is flown on-board
the NIMBUS 7 platform that collected ocean colour data from
November 1978 to J une 1986.
Landsat 3 is launched
1979
Nimbus 7 is launched
1981
APPLE, an experimental geostationary communication satellite
gets launched in European Ariane vehicle.
J PLs Shuttle Imaging Radar (SIR-A) launches the first synthetic
imaging radar carried by NASAs Space Shuttle Orbiter.
1985
The GPS (Global Positioning System) becomes operational.
1986
The first SPOT satellite Earth Observation System is
launched and designed by Centre National dEtudes
Spatiales (CNES) in France and developed with the
participation of Sweden and Belgium.
1988
Indian Remote Sensing Satellite (IRS) system is commissioned with
the launch of IRS-1A.
1991
The first European Remote-Sensing Satellite (ERS-1) is
launched that carried radar altimeter.
India launches second Remote Sensing satellite IRS 1B.
1992
The National Space Development Agency (NASDA),
J apan launches J ERS-1 satellite.
1994
IRS-P2 is launched by India.
1995
RADARSAT - SAR satellite is launched.
Launch of third operational Indian Remote Sensing Satellite, IRS-1C.
1996
J apans Advanced Earth Observation Satellite is launched.
IRS-P3 is launched by India.
NASA and J PL begin Americas study of Mars by launching Mars
Global Surveyor (MGS) spacecraft.
1999
Landsat 7 carrying Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) is
launched.
1999
IKONOS is launched
2002
European Space Agency launched Envisat
2000
EROS-A1 is launched (Israeli Aircraft Industries (IAI))
2001
QuickBird-2 is launched
2003
ORBVIEW-3 is launched
http://adn.agi.com/SatelliteDatabase/SatelliteDatabase.kmz
HRSI: state of the art
1999
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
0.5
1
1.5
2
IKONOS 2
24 sep. 99
(USA)
EROS A1
5 dec. 00
(Israel)
Quickbird 2
18 oct. 01
(USA)
Orbview 3
26 jun. 03
(USA)
RESURS DK1
15 jun. 06
(Russia)
Geoeye 1
oct. 07
(USA)
Worldview 1
sep. 07
(USA)
EROS C
nov. 07
(Israel)
KOMPSat 2
28 jul. 06
(Korea)
Cartosat-2
10 gen. 07
(India)
EROS B1
25 apr. 06
(Israel)
Pleiades
2011
(France)
Spatial
resolution [m]
http://adn.agi.com/SatelliteDatabase/SatelliteDatabase.kmz
Quickbird images