History of GIS

Mapmaking (representation of geographical information) has evidences to show independent evolution of maps in different parts of the earth. The direct evidence of mapping comes from Middle East in the form of Babylonian Clay Tablets as early as 1000 B.C which depicted earth as a flat circular disk.

Around 200 B.C, Eratosthenes calculated the circumference of earth accurately. Later came, Ptolemy and Al-Idrisi who made remarkable contributions in the field of cartography. Following them were Mercator and Newton, their work paved way for the upcoming cartographers and geographers to better understand the earth and the geographical phenomenon.

Putting layers of data on series of base maps to analyze things geographically has been into existence much longer than the introduction of computers to the geographical world.

The French cartographer Louis-Alexandre Berthier had drawn the maps of the Battle of Yorktown (1781) that contained hinged overlays to show troop movements.

(Image source: http://findingaids.princeton.edu/getEad?eadid=C0022 )

Superimposition of topography, geology, population and traffic flow on the same base map has been shown in the Atlas to Accompany the Second report of the Irish Railway Commissioners.

Dr. John Snow showed the locations of death by cholera on a map to track the source of outbreak of cholera in Central London in September, 1854.

(Image source: http://healthcybermap.org/HGeo/pg1_1.htm )

The introduction of computers in the field of geography was a positive step towards understanding and learning the subject better. Change in cartographic analysis due to improved graphics, development of theories of spatial processes in economic and social geography, anthropology and regional science, increased social awareness and improvement in education. The integrated transportation plans of Detroit, Chicago during the period of 1950s and 1960s used information on routes, origin, destination, and time to produce the maps of traffic flow and volume is an example of integration of computer technology with geographical data.