-------- Original Message -------- Subject: Re: raised relief maps Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2008 12:14:40 -0600 From: Youngblood, Dawn <[log in to unmask]> To: Maps, Air Photo & Geospatial Systems Forum <[log in to unmask]> Our University photographer had great fun photographing raised relief maps from our collection up close... http://www.smu.edu/newsinfo/stories/foscue-maps-31dec2007.asp Also, in case it is of use to anyone, here is some of my label text from a recent exhibit: THREE DIMENSIONAL MAPS (1950) Visualizing a three-dimensional landscape from a two-dimensional map can be difficult. Before World War II, 3-D models were painstakingly hand crafted using painted wood or plaster. Such models were heavy and bulky; not the kind of thing you want to carry around in a war. Improved rubber terrain models were prepared for the invasion on D-Day. Still, these models were hand-painted and took a great deal of time to produce. After the war, a lithographic process was developed using the same color plates from which paper maps are printed. The plastic sheets are molded with heat (250 degrees for about 10 seconds) followed by application of vacuum pressure which conforms the hot plastic to the exact shape of the mold. Thus, a 3-D model is created within two minutes instead of days. The Edwin J. Foscue Map Library has some of the earliest commercially produced pieces, such as those on display here. Dawn Youngblood Dr. Dawn Youngblood Curator, Edwin J. Foscue Map Library Southern Methodist University 6414 Hilltop Lane Box 135 Dallas TX 75205 [log in to unmask] 214-768-2285 P.O. Box 750135 Dallas TX 75275-0135 -----Original Message----- From: Maps, Air Photo & Geospatial Systems Forum [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Angie Cope Sent: Monday, January 07, 2008 11:52 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: raised relief maps -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Re: raised relief maps Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2008 09:50:23 -0800 From: Janet Collins <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Hi, We maintain a collection of raised relief maps and have found them useful for: 1) tours: a) entry level "Map Reading and Analysis" courses (cover concepts of vertical and horizontal exaggeration) b) elementary school kids - they love tactile maps (I also pull out braille maps, stick charts, etc) 2) faculty lending: a) one of our geology faculty members sometimes uses them in teaching 3) curriculum: a) a number of years ago, we had a group of college students who were interested in learning how to make them. One of our staff ended up mentoring about 6 students in developing raised relief models. I've got some on display in the map library b) one of the engineering technology classes working in plastics developed a braille map of campus. Our raised relief maps were helpful in their planning. c) local school teachers borrow them to use in their class as part of having their students make raised relief maps. 4) display: a) we have a 4 ft by 5 ft raised relief model of the nearby Mt. Baker region on permanent loan from the U.S. Forest (they purchased a newer one). It is a magnet to patrons walking through the front door. We store them in a cabinet hanging from rods and they are not listed in the catalog. I agree with April, "They are a bit of a luxury, but a really wonderful one!" Cheers and Happy New Year, Janet Huxley Map Library Western Washington Univ.