The development of survey instruments.

Abstract

The paper gives a short review of the development of survey instruments. Some highlights in the development are emphasized: - the realization of Heinrich Wild's ideas in the early twenties - the geodimeter 1947, the tellurometer 1957 - electronic tacheometers in the seventies - Doppler satellite receivers and inertial surveying systems, also in the seventies. The surveyor and his instrument have been integrated parts in the process of measurements. Will, however, future survey instruments be more or less 'black boxes' and consequently the surveyor's role be reduced to pushing buttons? What effect will it have on the surveyor's professional practice? - Author