| Before I get into the history of aerial maps (aka | | | | 1903 - Julius Neubronne develops and patents the |
| aerial survey), it would be informative to give a | | | | breast mounted pigeon camera while the Bavarian |
| brief definition: | | | | Pidgeon Corp uses pidgeons to transmit messages |
| Aerial mapping/surveying is a system of collecting | | | | and take serial photos. |
| information from the air by using aerial | | | | 1906 - Using a compressed air rocket, Albert Maul |
| photography or remote sensing technology. This is | | | | takes aerial photographs at 2,600 ft. The camera |
| normally doneby using kites, planes, balloons and | | | | is ejected and parachutes back to earth. |
| satellites. | | | | 1909 - While in Italy trying to sell planes to the |
| These maps and surveys are used for many | | | | Italian govt for their Northern Africa campaigns, |
| different reasons, from archeology to real estate | | | | Wilbur Wright takes aerial photographs and motion |
| to wildlife tracking. | | | | pictures from a plane. |
| Recently, technology has brought about | | | | 1918 - The French aerial units use aerial |
| orthophotography. The orthophotograph is an | | | | photographs and surveys by the thousands, up to |
| aerial photograph that has been corrected for the | | | | 10,000 a nite. Production of aerial cameras |
| curvature of the earth. In other words, putting a | | | | increases. Canadian Forestry Mapping program |
| round surface on a flat surface. | | | | begins in 1919. |
| The History Of Aerial Maps | | | | 1934 - The American Society of |
| 1840 - Photography is used for topographic | | | | Photogrammetry founded to advance the field of |
| surveying. | | | | aerial photography. |
| 1858 - French photographer, Gasper Nadar rides in | | | | 1940 - WWII increases tremendously the |
| a hot air balloon and takes the first aerial | | | | sophistication of aerial photos and maps. |
| photographs of Paris at 1,200 feet. | | | | 1946 - First space photographs from V-2 rockets. |
| 1860 - Boston is photographed from a hot air | | | | 1957 - The launching of Sputnik defines the |
| balloon by James Wallace. | | | | beginning of satellite imagery. |
| 1860's - Balloons used for reconnaissance and | | | | 1960 - Current - Dozens of satellites launched |
| surveillance during the Civil War. | | | | with newer technology, over time creating brilliant |
| 1887 - Forests are used in experiments in aerial | | | | online aerial maps whereby an individual can sit at |
| photography by the Germans. | | | | a desk with a computer and bring up virtually any |
| 1889 - The first aerial photograph by kite is taken | | | | spot on the Earth using digital aerial photography, |
| by Frenchman, Arthur Batut in Labruguiere. | | | | such as Google Earth. |