Previously, the history of surveying techniques and instruments, from ancient civilizations to the 19th century, were explored as they relate to the evolution of the profession. Beginning in the 20th century, surveying technology advanced at a rapid rate, resulting in an improved ability to accurately map land and greater insight into the possibilities available with better technology.
Post-WWII Era Witnesses New Surveying Instruments
Once WWII ended, a wave of innovation swept through a Swedish inventor by the name of Erik Bergstrand. Credited with designing the world’s first geodimeter, Bergstrand used radio waves to measure distance. The geodimeter was a less expensive and more efficient option than earlier tools and became the surveyors’ tool of choice. Less than a decade later, the tellurometer changed surveying with the use of electronic waves. Particularly in situations where terrain is difficult to navigate, tellurometers became a valued instrument as it employed electronic waves to retrieve accurate measurements.
Surveying Advances Rapidly
Since the 1960s, known for the introduction of the first computer designed for the general public, the surveying profession has been improved upon time and again. As technology improved, short range EDMI instruments and measuring tools were combined to create “total stations” for surveyors, allowing mapping and analysis with the click of a button instead of multiple tools. By reducing the amount of equipment needed to conduct an accurate survey, land professionals became accustomed to increased productivity, leading to a revolution in surveying techniques. The first geographic information system (GIS) was developed in Ottowa, Canada in an effort to map Canada’s land.
GIS and GPS
GIS was re-introduced in the 1980s, refined and commercially available, and featured both mapping and imaging capabilities. Prior to the turn of the century, GIS became available in a desktop version, which drastically changed the landscape of the surveying profession. With increased access to efficient tools and the ability to accurately map large areas of land, surveyors were equipped with a portable, reliable measuring tool. Modern surveyors are able to sift through information, increase precision, and create meaningful conclusions quickly from a short time in the field by integrating GPS tools and GIS infrastructures.
3-D Scanners
One of the latest additions to the surveyors’ toolbox, 3-D scanning machines were initially introduced in the 1980s and have slowly evolved to conveniently meet the needs of surveyors. By scanning objects, land professionals are able to generate a detailed map of a structure. When confronted with dangerous work environments, such as a construction zone or busy freeway, 3-D scanners reduce the amount of time spent in the field.
The Future of Surveying Tools
While computing technology becomes more intuitive and hands-free for users, it’s a safe bet that the practice of surveying will evolve accordingly. What appears to be a convenient and precise method of surveying the land today may seem outmoded and over-complicated decades from now. In the meantime, surveyors, engineers, and other land professionals await the arrival of this century’s newest mapping tool to enhance their professions and move surveying ever forward.
* Image courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net
