Forwarded this MAPS-L 'First ever orthophotomaps?' enquiry only a few minutes ago; this prompt response came from your side of The Pond – if a little further north than usual:). Which response reminded me of various recent WWI (and Defence Service Association?) conferences I've attended, where I seem to recall that the technique was seriously initiated at that time.
Francis Herbert [not 'Herbet']
-----Original Message-----
From: A forum for issues related to map & spatial data librarianship [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Terence Day
Sent: 01 February 2015 19:20
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: First ever orthophotomap?
I'm not sure that your geography professor is correct. I've seen what purports to be a German orthophoto map prepared during the first world war. It was on an online auction site, and I was the under-bidder, so I don't know where it is now. Fortunately I did keep a copy of the photograph and can send it, if you or your professor contact me.
Best regards,
Terence Day PhD
Department of Geography
Okanagan College
Kelowna, BC
tday at okanagan.bc.ca
________________________________________
From: A forum for issues related to map & spatial data librarianship [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Francis Herbert [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Sunday, February 01, 2015 10:42 AM
Subject: FW: First ever orthophotomap?
Anyone on ‘Lis-maps’ got any authenticated ‘first’; or pointers/source(s)? Or forward this, too, to Soc. Cartographers?
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From: Maps-L: Map Librarians, etc. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Weessies, Kathleen
Sent: 29 January 2015 19:47
Subject: First ever orthophotomap?
A geography professor is hoping to nail down the first ever orthophotomap. She has done extensive research on the history of remote sensing and aerial photo interpretation, and estimates that the first true orthophotomap (with rectification) was probably made in the early 1950s.
Is anyone out there in mapland the proud owner of this piece of history or at least know of it?
Kathleen Weessies
Geosciences Librarian; Head, Map Library Michigan State University Main Library
366 W. Circle Drive, W308
East Lansing, MI 48824
517-884-0849