Global Positioning Systems

THE HISTORY OF GPS

Throughout time creative people have developed a variety of ways to figure out their position and to navigate from one place to another. Early mariners relied on angular measurements to celestial bodies like the sun and stars to calculate their location and used devices such as sextants.

In the 1920s the introduction of a more advanced technique such as radionavigation based at first on radios that allowed navigators to locate the direction of shore-based transmitters when in range.

Later in the 50's, the development of artificial satellites made possible the transmission of more-precise, line-of-sight radionavigation signals and sparked a new era in navigation technology. Satellites were first used in position-finding in a simple but reliable two-dimensional US Navy system called Transit. This laid the groundwork for a system that would later revolutionize navigation forever—the Global Positioning System.

To see more on how GPS works click here or learn about geocaching click here

These are some great GPS products that are available...