Just over three years ago, having been lucky enough to be immersed in mapping technology for many decades I thought it was time to give back. Thus the creation of what you are reading now, Map Happenings.

In the first post, on 27 July 2022, I wrote:

So after 37 years in the mapping industry I thought it might be fun to inflict my view of happenings in the geospatial technology world on a few of you. 

I’d like to throw you the occasional tasty tidbit of various ‘goings on’ and, from time-to-time, do a deeper dive into some relevant topic or company. Oh, and I might try to invoke a reaction from one or two of you through a particular musing or postulation. 

While I’m sure much of the focus will be on what’s happening now, it’s always fun to make guesses about the future. And, of course, let’s not forget the past. As Churchill said: “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”

I will aim for quality, not quantity. Hopefully I’ll meet your expectations.

Included in the many posts was an attempt at a fun and irreverent series on the history of maps and mapping technology called “The 12 Map Happenings the Rocked Our World“.

Despite my poking fun at the French, the series still got a very favourable reception from none other than the New York Times Literary Review ¹

Given this history of maps and mapping series is now finally complete, (you can let out big sigh of relief), I thought I might transition to something new, with the emphasis on the word ‘new’ rather than ‘history’. So I have decided to embark on a series that I am calling “Mapping Amazing”.

Each article in the series is going to focus on a small company that, through use of geospatial technology, is doing innovative / rockin’ / lit / vibing / happening work (pick your adjective) in an attempt to make a small dent in the universe.

To get a flavour of what the articles will be like, take a look at the Map Happenings article from May 2024: “PLACE: Fuelling Maps for the Rest of the World“. This featured the work of a small organisation that is doing an awesome job to provide the “data fuel” for the creation of detailed maps for the developing world.

So, stay tuned for the new series, “Mapping Amazing”. I think you’re going to love it.

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1. Gold star if you can spot the AI. ↩︎