The science of surveying has had many practical applications throughout history. Surveyors map the land, helping to create accurate maps and to identify and establish boundaries. In addition, surveyors also help create navigational maps for both water crafts above and below the water surface. Surveyors also help plan the construction of roads, bridges, buildings and homes. With so many important tasks, it is easy to see why this job is so crucial to many industries. Here are a few notable facts about the history of surveying and a few of the most notable surveyors.
When it comes to equipment, one of the instruments surveyors can't be without is some type of a theodolite. This important instrument is used for accurate angle measurement on both the vertical and the horizontal planes. The first portable theodolite was invented by Thomas Digges, a renowned mathematician and surveyor from England. His designs were featured in a posthumous work published by his son in 1571. Another Englishman, Jonathon Sisson improved upon Digges invention, adding a sighting telescope, which is much like the modern instruments we see today.
While Americans might not have been the first surveyors in history, there are certainly some prominent citizens who worked in the field of surveying. Three presidents were surveyors, including both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. In addition, to being a lawyer, postmaster, storekeeper and a much-beloved president, Abraham Lincoln also was a surveyor as one of his many jobs.
Obviously Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, who mapped out the Louisiana Territory, were skilled surveyors, as well. Other notable American surveyors include Benjamin Banneker, a self-educated mathematician and surveyor who help to survey the site of Washington, D.C. in the 1790s. Banneker was the son of two former slaves and was primarily self-taught. In addition to helping survey the Capitol, he was an inventor and an excellent astronomer.
There were surveyors many centuries before theodolites, clinometers, inclinometers and other important surveying and optical instruments were available. For example, while Stonehenge was built by ancient people thousands of years ago, experts believe that the builders of this mysterious collection of stones had surveying and geometry skills that were far ahead of their time.
Other examples of artifacts that were constructed by using the skills of the earliest surveyors include many buildings constructed in ancient Egypt and ancient Rome. Using crude sighting and leveling instruments, as well as measuring ropes, these ancient people were able to construct roads, buildings and monuments.
When it comes to equipment, one of the instruments surveyors can't be without is some type of a theodolite. This important instrument is used for accurate angle measurement on both the vertical and the horizontal planes. The first portable theodolite was invented by Thomas Digges, a renowned mathematician and surveyor from England. His designs were featured in a posthumous work published by his son in 1571. Another Englishman, Jonathon Sisson improved upon Digges invention, adding a sighting telescope, which is much like the modern instruments we see today.
While Americans might not have been the first surveyors in history, there are certainly some prominent citizens who worked in the field of surveying. Three presidents were surveyors, including both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. In addition, to being a lawyer, postmaster, storekeeper and a much-beloved president, Abraham Lincoln also was a surveyor as one of his many jobs.
Obviously Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, who mapped out the Louisiana Territory, were skilled surveyors, as well. Other notable American surveyors include Benjamin Banneker, a self-educated mathematician and surveyor who help to survey the site of Washington, D.C. in the 1790s. Banneker was the son of two former slaves and was primarily self-taught. In addition to helping survey the Capitol, he was an inventor and an excellent astronomer.
There were surveyors many centuries before theodolites, clinometers, inclinometers and other important surveying and optical instruments were available. For example, while Stonehenge was built by ancient people thousands of years ago, experts believe that the builders of this mysterious collection of stones had surveying and geometry skills that were far ahead of their time.
Other examples of artifacts that were constructed by using the skills of the earliest surveyors include many buildings constructed in ancient Egypt and ancient Rome. Using crude sighting and leveling instruments, as well as measuring ropes, these ancient people were able to construct roads, buildings and monuments.
About the Author:
Carey Bourdier loves writing reviews on precision scientific instruments. For more details about surveying instruments such as a compass tripod, or to find other alignment instruments, check out the Warren Knight website now.
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