History of surveying
Jan de Graeve & Jim Smith
FIG Publication No 50.
The history of surveying and measurement has been part of FIG work since its establishment more than 130 years ago. This is natural because of the role of surveying, mapping and exploring the globe since beginning of mankind. The history was originally part of the general professional commissions (Commission 1) and then received its own place in the FIG structure, first as an ad hoc Commission and then as a permanent institution of the Federation. Since its establishment the International Institution for the History of Surveying and Measurement (IIHSM) has been very active in organising its events, exhibitions and reprinting old books that are relevant in understanding the history of geodesy and surveying. The biggest result of the IIHSM has been the work on getting the Struve Arc included in the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Monuments. Together with authorities from the ten countries where the arc exists the long time dream was finally recognised in 2005. This publication recognises also this work together with other activities that the institution has managed to implement during its more than fifteen years of history.
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