There have been surveyors around almost as long as people have been on the planet. While the early surveyors who helped construct Stonehenge and other ancient artifacts might not have had formal schooling, their skills helped build monuments that stood for thousands of years. In ancient Egypt and Rome, surveying was a revered profession and these individuals help build roads and buildings and even the Pyramids.
Surveying tools also have been around for quite a long time. The theodolite, for instance, has been perhaps the most common tool of surveyors for more than 400 years. This optical instrument can measure angles in the horizontal plane as well as the vertical plane. There are many excellent examples of antique theodolites, but the huge Ramsden theodolites are probably the most famous. Ramsden's theodolites were the primary tool used to create detailed surveys of Great Britain in the late 18th century. In addition to theodolites, a surveyor might use a clinometer, a GPS or a compass.
While some of today's surveyors use various types of theodolites, another popular choice is the total station. This device is helpful because not only does it include a theodolite, it also contains an electronic distance meter. In addition, it can record measurements for the surveyor and a robotic total station can be used remotely so that the surveyor can take measurements at a distance if needed.
Within the world of surveying, there are some pretty impressive names. For instance, Lewis and Clark are surveyors credited with their work in regards to the Louisiana Purchase. Benjamin Banneker was surveyor and astronomer who helped with the initial surveys of the District of Columbia. He also wrote several popular almanacs. What is even more impressive is that his parents were born into slavery and without any educational opportunities, Banneker was nearly entirely self-taught. Several presidents also worked as surveyors, including Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
For several years now, surveyors around the globe celebrate their profession during International Surveyors Week, which typically takes place in the middle of June. Among the activities is Survey Earth in a Day or SEIAD. In 2014, more than 2,200 surveyors took part in this event all of them simultaneously gathering GPS data and GNSS data from around the globe. Surveyors around the globe are encouraged to grab their GPS receivers and perhaps even a theodolite and take part in this event.
Both amateur surveyors and the pros often enjoy geocaching, which requires one to use a GPS receiver to find hidden containers all around the planet. In addition to the hidden caches, you also could hunt for the thousands of geodetic markers placed around the country by the staff at the National Geodetic Survey. Some of these markers have been in place for longer than a century. To find them, you can leave the theodolite and clinometer at home and just pack a GPS device and compass.
Surveying tools also have been around for quite a long time. The theodolite, for instance, has been perhaps the most common tool of surveyors for more than 400 years. This optical instrument can measure angles in the horizontal plane as well as the vertical plane. There are many excellent examples of antique theodolites, but the huge Ramsden theodolites are probably the most famous. Ramsden's theodolites were the primary tool used to create detailed surveys of Great Britain in the late 18th century. In addition to theodolites, a surveyor might use a clinometer, a GPS or a compass.
While some of today's surveyors use various types of theodolites, another popular choice is the total station. This device is helpful because not only does it include a theodolite, it also contains an electronic distance meter. In addition, it can record measurements for the surveyor and a robotic total station can be used remotely so that the surveyor can take measurements at a distance if needed.
Within the world of surveying, there are some pretty impressive names. For instance, Lewis and Clark are surveyors credited with their work in regards to the Louisiana Purchase. Benjamin Banneker was surveyor and astronomer who helped with the initial surveys of the District of Columbia. He also wrote several popular almanacs. What is even more impressive is that his parents were born into slavery and without any educational opportunities, Banneker was nearly entirely self-taught. Several presidents also worked as surveyors, including Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
For several years now, surveyors around the globe celebrate their profession during International Surveyors Week, which typically takes place in the middle of June. Among the activities is Survey Earth in a Day or SEIAD. In 2014, more than 2,200 surveyors took part in this event all of them simultaneously gathering GPS data and GNSS data from around the globe. Surveyors around the globe are encouraged to grab their GPS receivers and perhaps even a theodolite and take part in this event.
Both amateur surveyors and the pros often enjoy geocaching, which requires one to use a GPS receiver to find hidden containers all around the planet. In addition to the hidden caches, you also could hunt for the thousands of geodetic markers placed around the country by the staff at the National Geodetic Survey. Some of these markers have been in place for longer than a century. To find them, you can leave the theodolite and clinometer at home and just pack a GPS device and compass.
About the Author:
Carey Bourdier enjoys blogging about precision scientific instruments. For further information about surveying products such as a surveyor compass, or to discover other alignment instruments, visit the Warren Knight website today.
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