How Geospatial Technology Is Shaping The Future | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

How Geospatial Technology Is Shaping The Future

Jack Dangermond created a tech revolution.

159
How Geospatial Technology Is Shaping The Future
ArcGIS.com Displaying Popup Windows on a Map

There is no doubt that the growth of geospatial technology is dramatic and prominent in the global economy today. The field is growing to a degree that hasn't been seen since the implementation of the web creating more computer coders almost exponentially. Many are wondering what is the vast field of study and why is so integral to the way our society functions today? The implementation of this new technology had it's course set many years ago once companies like Esri and QGIS began making hardware programs that create shapes and symbols that are based off projects from the earth. Further implementation of statistics, facts, and figures, has also led to the growth of geospatial technology. This technology has only effected the world for about the past 50 years or so. The latest version of geospatial technology was only developed about 20 years ago. The real question everyone should be asking is how much will GIS (Geographic Information Systems) have an impact on the future world economy? Will corporations and small businesses alike use geospatial technology for all the data and statistics that they store? I believe they will. Here's why.

Geospatial technology was first introduced into the world in the 1970's when the implementation of applications such as apple and microsoft were invented by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Bill Gates. These fundamental programs were used to create GIS applications that could be used for practical map making. This was a new and much more advanced type of cartography than previously in world history however. This is because this type of map making could take data and plug it into a computer programming formula to create algorithms that would show up as a geographical point, line, or polygon and help solve a problem spatially. This type of spatial analysis and data uses spatial grids and coordinate systems in order to run algorithms and solve problems using existing statistics. This type of statistical data is usually retrieved through the use of an excel spreadsheet otherwise known as an attribute table on programs like ArcMap, and QGIS. All this data is saved and stored in either a shapefil, KML file, or a geodatabase. There are addition types of geodatabases for certain types of data as well.

The first implementer and creator of Gespatial technology was Jack Dangermond. He wanted to found a company that would lead the future of geographical technology for many years to come. He started off by using basic C++ Coding language to create a new program that would run shapes, lines, and points, Today this type of visualized data is known as vector and raster data. Esri stands for the Environmental Systems Research Institute and was founded in 1968. The main mission was to produce research products that would go towards helping the environment through technological aide tools. This new technology was supposed to help scientists make breakthroughs in making transportation more fuel efficient. Scientists mainly decided to focus on fuel efficient cars and other motor vehicles first. They needed to design engines in vehicles that would be more fuel efficient. This means that the car would have to use up much less fuel in the same amount of time than previous cars. Dangermond also founded the company on land survey analysis but quickly turned into the development of GIS software development. Today Esri is the largest GIS software developer anywhere in the world. Jack's company went on to be one of the most visual geography/coding corporations to ever exist. His visionary idea of creating a company that would create software for geographical points and locations was enough to make Jack Dangermond a multi-billionaire.

Is the impressiveness of both Jack Dangermond of Esri enough to get one to think about how important this technology is in our daily lives? If not than maybe the thought that all of the U.S. military's strategic bombing targets are all done through geospatial technology such as remote sensing and radar sensing technologies. Geospatial technology is one of the reasons we are kept save here at home. Geospatial technology is the main reason why all of your packages get delivered to the right address at the right time(for the most part). These GPS or the global positioning system that all of us have on our phones and electronic devices is why we know where we need to go when we are looking for a new place or trying to find a specific location. Businesses who need to devise a plan as to where a new store location should be placed at is done through geospatial intelligence and coordinate systems.

This is why GIS and Geospatial Technology should be looked upon as sacred. This technology will help save lives and make life much more productive for millions of people. Everyone needs to take into consideration how important GIS is in out daily lives. In fact, one could not live at all without geospatial technology either directly or indirectly effecting there life. This technology is too essential to put on the back burner and know I hope you know why.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Gilmore Girls
Hypable

In honor of Mother’s Day, I have been thinking of all the things my mom does for my family and me. Although I couldn’t write nearly all of them, here are a few things that moms do for us.

They find that shirt that’s right in front of you, but just you can’t seem to find.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

10 Reasons To Thank Your Best Friend

Take the time to thank that one friend in your life you will never let go of.

4500
Thank You on wooden blocks

1. Thank you for being the one I can always count on to be honest.

A true friend will tell you if the shirt is ugly, or at least ask to borrow it and "accidentally" burn it.

2. Thank you for accepting me for who I am.

A best friend will love you regardless of the stale french fries you left on the floor of your car, or when you had lice in 8th grade and no one wanted to talk to you.

Keep Reading...Show less
sick student
StableDiffusion

Everybody gets sick once in a while, but getting sick while in college is the absolute worst. You're away from home and your mom who can take care of you and all you really want to do is just be in your own bed. You feel like you will have never-ending classwork to catch up on if you miss class, so you end up going sick and then it just takes longer to get better. Being sick in college is really tough and definitely not a fun experience. Here are the 15 stages that everyone ends up going through when they are sick at college.

Keep Reading...Show less
kid
Janko Ferlic
Do as I say, not as I do.

Your eyes widen in horror as you stare at your phone. Beads of sweat begin to saturate your palm as your fingers tremble in fear. The illuminated screen reads, "Missed Call: Mom."

Growing up with strict parents, you learn that a few things go unsaid. Manners are everything. Never talk back. Do as you're told without question. Most importantly, you develop a system and catch on to these quirks that strict parents have so that you can play their game and do what you want.

Keep Reading...Show less
friends
tv.com

"Friends" maybe didn’t have everything right or realistic all the time, but they did have enough episodes to create countless reaction GIFs and enough awesomeness to create, well, the legacy they did. Something else that is timeless, a little rough, but memorable? Living away from the comforts of home. Whether you have an apartment, a dorm, your first house, or some sort of residence that is not the house you grew up in, I’m sure you can relate to most of these!

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments