International Institution for
the History of Surveying and Measurement
A Permanent Institution within the International
Federation of Surveyors (FIG)
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Site
overview
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From Problematum variorum geodaeticum. B
Pitiscus, 1768- Courtesy Jan de Graeve. |
What are
Surveying and Measurement?
By
"surveying" is meant all those topics that come under the FIG
definition of the term it is here at present mostly involved in those aspects of
surveying relating in some way to the construction of maps.
By
"measurement" is meant those activities that go into the making of
measurements for surveying and related purposes.
The history
of the topic has been studied by both practitioners and historians for many
years. FIG (The International Federation of Surveyors) was formed in 1878
and around 1980 set up an ad hoc
Commission in the History of Surveying. In 1998 this developed into an
International Institution for the History of Surveying & Measurement,
which hosts this web site.
Since time
immemorial surveying has impinged particularly on astronomy and mathematics.
It is under these heads that many of the historical references to surveying
and related measurement instruments and techniques will be found although
several other major areas of study also have relevant references.
Whilst there
are one or more surveying institutions/societies in most countries history
plays only a small part within those organisations. Thus one of the reasons
for forming an international institution to bring the scattered individuals
of like interest in contact with one another.
FIG holds a
major international gathering at least once every year and the History of
Surveying & Measurement endeavours to be represented at each of these
with either an exhibition and/or a symposium.
This
new site at present only gives a limited number of examples of references,
web addresses, details in topic areas etc. The organisers would welcome
suggestions as to the type of information they would like to see here and
are asked to send material and ideas to the
Institution
Secretary, address on Index page.
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