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The Laboratory conducted correspondence courses, hosted numerous conferences, and worked on environmental planning and architectural projects with the Harvard Graduate School of Design. The Laboratory distributed software, and later data, at cost, thus encouraging experimentation. CALYPSO - attribute manipulations (areal interpolation).WHIRLPOOL - planar enforcement: overlay, error detection of input.CYCLOPS - topological checking of polygons, produce graphics shape files.CYCLONE - topological checking of nodes, error correction.PROTEUS - editing, projections, generalization, aggregation, simple display.The POLYPS and PRISM modules could draw maps on a variety of vector display devices. The 1982 release of Odyssey included seven programs for geographical analysis: Like most of the Laboratory's software, it was written in FORTRAN and operated on several platforms. MDS(X) - a multidimensional pattern detection and scaling system under the direction of Tony Coxon at the University of Cardiff.GIMMS (Geographic Information Management and Mapping System) - a general purpose mapping system written by Tom Waugh at the University of Edinburgh.SYMAP - line printer mapping producing conformant (areas), contour, trend surface, and proximal (also known as Voronoi diagram or Thiessan polygonal).POLYVRT - data conversion and analysis of polygonal data.KWIC - key-word-in-context programs for indexing bibliographic references.DOT.MAP - contour, shaded, and dot-distribution maps from gridded data.The Odyssey project's aim was to produce a vector GIS that provided spatial analysis of many different forms within a single system.Īs of 1980, in addition to early Odyssey modules, the Laboratory sold the following programs for display and analysis of spatial data In 1978 this suite became the Odyssey project. Some struggles with restructuring Geographic Base Files - Dual Independent Map Encoding (GBF-DIME files, an early vector and polygonal data structure) for the Census Bureau's Urban Atlas in 1975 inspired the Laboratory to develop an integrated suite of programs beneath by a common user interface and common data manipulation software. The Laboratory gained a reputation for solid output leading to several commercially successful projects and significant budgetary independence for a research institute. GRID, CALFORM, and POLYVRT products further explored the raster versus vector approach to mapping. SYMVU software, developed in 1969 to illustrate surface displays, was another popular product. SYMAP's ability to print cheap, albeit low quality, maps using readily available technology led to rapid adoption in the late 1960s. SYMAP - comparison of conformant, contour, proximal, and trend surface outputs To conduct research concerning the definition and analysis of spatial structure and process.".
First computerized grid mapping system harvard 1966 software#
To distribute the resulting software to governmental agencies, educational organizations and interested professionals.To design and develop computer software for the analysis and graphic display of spatial data.The Laboratory's original and continuing goals were: From 1972, the Laboratory was based in Graduate School's newly built Gund Hall. A 1968 reorganisation followed Fisher reaching Harvard's mandatory retirement age and led to renaming as the Harvard Laboratory for Computer Graphics and Spatial Analysis. Also under Fisher's direction, SYMVU and GRID programs were developed. Working with programmer Betty Benson, Fisher completed SYMAP for distribution in 1966. In association with Harvard providing facilities in Robinson Hall in Harvard Yard as part of the Graduate School of Design, the Ford Foundation provided $294,000 over three years to seed the Harvard Laboratory for Computer Graphics. Fisher applied for a Ford Foundation grant to explore thematic mapping based on early SYMAP outputs, which was awarded in 1965. Fisher conceived a computer mapping software program, SYMAP (Synergistic Mapping), to produce conformant, proximal, and contour maps on a line printer. Fisher encountered computer maps on urban planning and civil engineering produced by Edgar Horwood's group at the University of Washington. In 1963, during a training session held at Northwestern University, Chicago architect Howard T.