maps for the rest of us

Maps have been developed by human beings for centuries. However, they used to be a special tool which only few people could read and make use of. In addition, traditional maps requires certain skills to read. However, digital maps in the 21st century are breaking through this idea for the rest of us.

In keeping with our history, maps were considered as one of the most confidential sources of information for the authorities. For example, in Japan a very accurate map was made by Ino Tadataka in the Edo era. It was such a accurate map that the Tokugawa Shogunate kept it a secret, but Franz Siebold, a German physician, tried to take the map out to Europe. In the end he was expelled from Japan. So, ordinary people were not allowed to access the information.

At the end of 20th century, the cold war was over and sat-nav technology was released to the public. We were able to have accurate and detailed maps. However, they are so complicated that lots of people were not good at reading maps could not have the benefit of them.

With the dawn of the 21st century, cutting edge technologies such as GPS navigation system and Google map on the internet have spread the benefit of maps ahead. Accurate maps equipped with ease of use. People who has a little sense of direction no longer suffer from a real hassle of paper maps. They tell you which direction you should move in.

The more our technology evolves, the more difficult to use and understand it becomes. Indeed, ordinary people do not seem to benefit from it. However I think the digital map technology would be one of the most useful technology for the rest of us. Although some people are skeptical about cutting edge technologies in public, there is no reason why we should not enjoy the benefit.