Making Maps: The Story of the UK's Ordnance Survey

Summary

This video explores the history and significance of the Ordnance Survey, Britain's national mapping agency. From its military origins during the Jacobite Rebellion to modern digital mapping, the Ordnance Survey has played a crucial role in British history. The video delves into the evolution of map-making, from the Great Map of the Scottish Highlands to the Principal Triangulation of Britain, and the impact of technological advancements on cartography. It also touches on the agency's contributions to both World Wars and the eventual shift to digital maps, emphasizing the enduring importance of accurate mapping for navigation, military strategy, and everyday life.

Takeaways

• 🗺️ The Ordnance Survey is a renowned British institution known for its detailed mapping of the UK, which has been integral to the country's history and development.
• 🏞️ The detailed mapping of the British Isles began as a military endeavor to aid in the pacification of the Scottish Highlands following the Jacobite Rebellion.
• 👨‍✈️ William Roy, a 21-year-old surveyor, was tasked with creating the first detailed map of the Scottish Highlands, which took him eight years to complete.
• 🛤️ The Ordnance Survey's maps were initially used for military purposes, focusing on communication lines and terrain that could be strategically utilized.
• 🌍 The Principal Triangulation of Britain was a massive operation that took from 1791 to 1853 to measure distances between 300 major landmarks, creating the first full triangulation of the nation.
• 🏰 The early Ordnance Survey maps were engraved on copper plates and sold for approximately 3 guineas, which was a significant portion of the average person's wages at the time.
• 📈 The Ordnance Survey has evolved with technology, incorporating methods like zincography, photography, and GPS to improve the accuracy and detail of their maps.
• 🌈 The introduction of color maps in the 19th century made the Ordnance Survey maps more popular and user-friendly, leading to the establishment of the Great Britain County Series.
• 🏛️ The Ordnance Survey played a crucial role in both World Wars, providing detailed maps for military use and aiding in the planning of significant military operations like the D-Day landings.
• 📱 With the advent of digital technology, the Ordnance Survey has transitioned to digital map-making and maintains an online presence, making maps accessible to the public and updating its database with thousands of changes daily.

Q & A

What is the significance of the Ordnance Survey in the context of British history?

The Ordnance Survey is significant in British history because it was created to map the British Isles in detail, which took decades to complete. It has military origins and was initiated to help pacify the Scottish Highlands after the Jacobite rebellion, and later expanded to map the entire country for various purposes including military strategy and public use.

How did the Ordnance Survey maps impact the British public's ability to navigate and explore their country?

The Ordnance Survey maps greatly impacted the British public's ability to navigate and explore by providing detailed and accurate maps of the country. These maps were essential for activities like rambling, where people could use them to find footpaths and routes across rural landscapes, and they also helped in understanding land ownership and rights to roam.

What was the 'Great Map' mentioned in the script, and who was responsible for creating it?

The 'Great Map' was a detailed map of the Scottish Highlands created by 21-year-old William Roy. It took him eight years to complete and became the foundation for the Ordnance Survey's later work in mapping the entirety of the British Isles.

Why did the Ordnance Survey initially focus on the southern and eastern coasts of England?

The Ordnance Survey initially focused on the southern and eastern coasts of England due to the increasing threat of Napoleon invading Britain. Accurate maps of the coastline were believed to be crucial for military strategy to repel any potential invaders.

What was the role of the Ordnance Survey during the Napoleonic Wars?

During the Napoleonic Wars, the Ordnance Survey was tasked with creating highly accurate maps of the coastline to aid in military strategy against a potential invasion. The detailed maps were used to understand terrain and communication lines that could be utilized in defense.

How did the Ordnance Survey contribute to the British efforts during World War I and World War II?

During World War I, Ordnance Survey personnel were dispatched to France and Belgium to create detailed maps for battlefield use. In World War II, they created maps of various European countries for troop use, and a reported 120 million Ordnance Survey maps were used in the preparations and execution of the D-Day landings.

What technological advancements have been incorporated into the Ordnance Survey's map-making process over the years?

Over the years, the Ordnance Survey has incorporated various technological advancements such as photography, aerial surveillance, GPS, and aerial imaging into their map-making process. They were the first to complete a program of large-scale electronic mapping and continue to update their database with around 20,000 changes daily.

What is the significance of the Ordnance Survey's color maps and how did they become popular?

The Ordnance Survey's color maps became popular because they were part of the Ordnance Survey Great Britain County Series, which provided more detailed coverage of each British county. The use of color made the maps more reader-friendly and visually appealing, which was a significant change from the earlier black and white military-focused maps.

How has the Ordnance Survey adapted to the digital age and the rise of GPS and apps?

The Ordnance Survey adapted to the digital age by launching its website in 1995 and digitizing all of its maps, making Britain the first country to complete a large-scale electronic mapping program. They now rely on GPS and aerial imaging for their map-making process and maintain a comprehensive geospatial database that is updated regularly.

What is the purpose of the trig points or trig pillars established by the Ordnance Survey?

The trig points or trig pillars are permanent surveying stations built on high points across Britain. They were established as part of the re-triangulation of Britain and serve as reference points for the Ordnance Survey National Grid Reference System, which divides Britain into a distinct grid for precise location referencing.