EVENT: Oh the places you'll go, the GIS Symposium edition

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...”

In the popular book, "Oh, The Places You'll Go!" Dr. Seuss reminder readers that they determine their destinations and, hopefully, have the proper tools (intelligence, prudence and perseverance) to get there.

In today’s world, we must also include modern tools, such as Geographic Information Systems, or GIS.

HISTORY: Next time you tap an address into your GPS, thank a pigeon. #GISday

Image courtesy Wikipedia

Before there was Google Maps, there were pigeons.

Every November, GIS Day showcases geographic information system (GIS) technology that many of us use every day without even thinking about it. It's a large part of our work, and our own GIS team has routinely used the unofficial holiday as a soapbox for sharing little-known facts about the technology and its amazing potential.

GIS Analyst Eric Baker recently reflected on the history of remote and satellite imaging dating back to the 1800s. That history included references to the year 1906 when professional photographers would harness one-shot cameras to the breast of carrier pigeons.