Things Have Changed
Things Have Changed
GPS: The $100 Billion System That Transformed Aviation, Travel, and Exploration
Tech Journey Time Capsule:
From the nostalgic dial-up buzz to today's quick digital clicks, this section reflects on the monumental moments and stories shaping our tech-dominated world. Remember when social media was just media? The series takes a nostalgic look back while connecting the dots to our present-day digital reality.
The GPS Revolution:
Think back to a time when handwritten directions were the norm and getting lost was part of the journey. Now, a $100 billion satellite system ensures we rarely stray off course. This section highlights the immeasurable impact of GPS on modern society, how it's transformed everything from aviation to social media, and shines a light on unsung heroes like Gladys West.
From Space Exploration to Personal Navigation:
The global positioning system, or GPS, didn't just pop into existence. This segment delves into the history, starting with the Vanguard satellite launch in 1958 and continuing through groundbreaking innovations driven by pioneers like Dr. Ivan Getting and Roger L Easton. Get the lowdown on how the U.S. Navy's celestial ambitions became the silent, guiding force we rely on today.
GPS: Beyond Just Location:
More than just a map in your pocket, GPS impacts numerous industries, from agriculture to construction. This segment emphasizes the omnipresence of GPS in modern society and its pivotal role in reshaping various sectors. It also touches on how foundational models, like the one created by Dr. Gladys West, play a crucial role in its accuracy.
The Socio-Economic Ripple Effect:
GPS isn't just about technology; it's big business. This section breaks down its economic impact, revealing how it contributes a whopping $100 billion annually to the American economy. Additionally, with its integration into over 70% of smartphones by 2010, discover how GPS reshaped daily life, social interactions, and modern conveniences.
The Future of GPS and Its Broadening Horizons:
GPS has come a long way, but where is it headed? From safeguarding lost devices to its pivotal role during events like COVID, this segment delves into its future potential. As we speculate about upcoming innovations and the balance of security with accessibility, one thing's clear: the journey of GPS and its possibilities is far from over.
Sign Off with a Thought:
End your tech journey with a nod to the endless possibilities ahead. With all the advanced tools at our disposal, the path of discovery remains infinite. Whether it's in the real world or the digital realm, the question persists: Where will you navigate next? Safe travels!
Welcome to bite-sized tech Chronicles from things have changed podcast. I'm your host Jed Tabernero here to guide you through their markable tales of technology. That have sculpted our digital landscapes. From the nostalgic buzz of dial-up to the instantaneous clicks of today. We've journeyed so far. In this series will unravel the hidden stories and monumental moments that have transformed bytes into a vast interconnected universe. Remember when social media was just media. We'll explore the pivotal shifts, the innovations and the unsung heroes that have redefined communication and brought the world closer. One pixel at a time. So plugin and get ready for a bite by bite exploration of our tech infused history together. Let's discover how the tapestry of technology continues to evolve shape and connect our world. After all. Things have changed. If you grew up in the nineties, you probably experienced the adventure of navigating with handwritten directions. Or wrestling with the giant fallout map. Imagine driving to a friend's new house. Squinting at street signs and praying you took the right turn at the confusing roundabout. Those were the days of real life exploration challenges. Meetings in 20. I'm fine, I'll follow the GPS. Turn left here. Oh, can't be. Proceed along the route. Are you certain? Turn right. Picture this before GPS. Getting lost was just part of the journey. Now thanks to a sky high ballet of 24 satellites worth a massive$100 billion. Navigating city chaos. And while it's rains has never been easier. Whether it's navigating jet airliners, providing directions to a new restaurant, or geotagging your social media pictures, few imagine the impact GPS would have on modern society, including 88 year old Gladys West. I never would have thought that I could sit in a car and, you know, it says, turn left, turn right. It's like having a personal guide everywhere we go. Imagine filling a football stadium twice with gold. That's the value of this system. Dive in to discover how this cosmic dance of 12,550 miles above. Keeps us on the right track every day. In our current position, you would see 11, 000 miles away. Right now, there's probably 11 satellites. And what a good receiver does now... It listens to all of them, and it gets a stronger solution. But the basic requirement to pinpoint a single location, only four. And then you not only know latitude, longitude, altitude, but also time. Think Google maps. Uh, Marvel valued at a whopping$56 billion. It's not just a tool. It's a daily companion for over a billion users. It's the cornerstone of tech Titans, like Uber and Lyft. Redefining transportation. It even fuels. Fitness enthusiasts through apps like Strava. Transforming ordinary journeys into extraordinary adventures. From augmented reality wonders like Pokemon go to precision agriculture. The ripple effect of GPS is limitless. Creating a symphony of interconnected experiences and groundbreaking innovations. The point is it's everywhere. It becomes something you rely on so much. You go to a strange town, dial up GPS, take you somewhere and you say, Well, how did I get here? I don't know. I followed the little arrow. Over 5 billion GPS devices are in use worldwide. A Testament to our symbiotic relationship with this unseen navigator. That's more than half the Earth's population connected, located and guided through the unseen realms of the stratosphere. And consider this. GPS Grace's over 70% of all smartphones. How does this shift and accessibility shape our experiences and redefine convenience in an age where the world is quite literally at our fingertips. What we are doing is calculating exactly where the center of this satellite is relative to where we are. And so as that satellite goes around in orbit, we have stored in it where it's going to be. So as part of the message that comes down, it keeps saying, I am here, time is this. I am here, time is this. We lock up on that signal, lock up on three others, and we find out where we are. The omnipresence of GPS extends beyond the digital screen. It's woven into the fabric of our societies and industries with over 50% of farms and 30% of construction projects utilizing this technology. But what about its history? Where did the global positioning system or GPS start? Project Vanguard scores a bullseye on its third firing at Cape Canaveral. A grapefruit sized satellite is set into the nose cone of a three stage rocket, and the launching routine begins. With the launch of the Vanguard satellite in 1958, the United States strengthened its commitment to science exploration and paved the way for future space technology. It all starts in 1964. The us Navy driven by the ambition of Dr. Ivan, a getting. Who champion the idea of a satellite based navigation system. Began charting courses in the celestial sphere. Laying the foundations of what would become our silent guide through land, sea and air. Meanwhile, Roger L Easton. Already experimenting with the Navy navigation satellite system. Contributed breakthrough, timekeeping technology and methods essential for the accurate positioning we associate with GBS today. His work was a Testament to human ingenuity. And laid the foundational blueprints for what GPS would become. From the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D. C., Roger Easton led a team of scientists and engineers to develop an orbital tracking system for the Vanguard satellite using radio waves. The Vanguard project was a scientific satellite project for the International Geophysical Year. We had a method of tracking it called mini track. And then later, idea came to me, wouldn't this be a good navigation system? He spent 37 years in Washington, D. C. as a physicist at the U. S. Naval Research Laboratory and developed a system that put highly accurate clocks in multiple satellites and could be used to determine the precise location of someone on the ground. He called it Timation for Time Navigation. Easton's vision led to the U. S. first satellite tracking network and became what we know today as the Global Position System, or GPS. Today, GPS is a constellation of Earth orbiting satellites providing precise navigation and timing data to military and civilian users worldwide. As the years progressed, it became evident that this navigation system was not just a fleeting dream. With Colonel Bradford Parkinson leading a team of innovators. The first operational GPS satellite was launched in 1978. GPS is a ubiquitous worldwide utility. That allows you to know where you are and what time it is with great accuracy anywhere. Parkinson often termed the father of GPS. Played a pretty pivotal role. Bridging the gap between theory and practical application. Ensuring the celestial gens of satellites could guide a seamlessly. And amidst these innovators, there was Gladys west. Dr. Gladys west. And mathematician whose invaluable contributions are lesser known, but equally impactful. Gladys, one of the few African-American women in her field at the time was pivotal in the development of the satellite geo Dessi models. That would eventually become a core component of GPS. By processing data from satellites, she created an accurate mathematical model of earth. Uh, G OID reflecting its shape. This model was instrumental in our accurate understanding of Earth's dimensions. Making precise GPS calculations possible. It's a Testament to how individuals often behind the scenes paved the way for the technological marvels we enjoy today. She studied mathematics, earning her degree in 1952. She went back earning a master's in 1955 after teaching and segregated Virginia public schools. In 1956, a call from the Naval Service Warfare Center, as it's known today in Dahlgren, Virginia The pivotal moment in 1983. Uh, tragedy turned into promise GPS. Initially a military asset becomes a universal compass. Hello, Americans. I'm coming before you tonight about the Korean Airline Massacre, the attack by the Soviet Union against 269 innocent men, women, and children aboard an unarmed Korean passenger plane. We are cooperating with other countries to find better means to ensure the safety of civil aviation We have joined with other countries to press the International Civil Aviation Organization to investigate this crime at an urgent special session of the Council. At the same time, we're listening most carefully to private groups, both American and international, airline pilots, passenger associations, and others. who have a special interest in civil air safety. How did this decision shift our interaction with the world? And space. Now, the Federal Aviation Administration says it will begin building a new high tech satellite based air traffic control system, awarding a 1 billion contract today. to begin work on the project, which will work using GPS or global positioning satellites, cutting down on delays and enabling the FAA to handle two to three times the amount of air traffic now using the not so friendly skies. By 1995, even the skies were no longer uncharted. The FAA adopts GPS. And the accuracy of this technology is refined. What transformations that this bring to aviation? And how did it redefine our approach to travel and exploration? GPS didn't become fully operational until 1995. Now, it's an integral part of so many industries, from farming to landing planes, even keeping track of great white sharks. And the value of such a coveted technology? One hundred billion dollars a year to the American economy alone. Fast forward to 2010. The GPS signal finds a home in our pockets. With over 70% of smartphones equipped with GPS. How did this integration reshape our daily lives? Social interactions and our understanding of convenience. We estimate there are over a billion GPS receivers in use today. And the reason is simple. It's that virtually every one of these devices comes with one. Do you know how much it costs? About a dollar and a half. That cheap. It's amazing. Over 5 billion devices interacting with a celestial network. How does this compare to global population? And what does it signify about our Alliance of this unseen guide? Beyond navigation, GPS touches science, agriculture, and construction. How will this technology continues to evolve? And what unchartered territories will it reveal in our interconnected world? It's fascinating to think about how GPS once a mere navigation tool has woven itself into the very fabric of our daily lives. Today. It's not just about finding our way through city streets. GPS technology powers features like find my iPhone. Ensuring that loss devices are swiftly located and families feel an added layer of security for their loved ones. It's the backbone for delivery services. Bringing meals to our doors, which was critical during COVID. Ride sharing apps that have revolutionized transport. I can't imagine not having Uber. And health applications that monitor our jogs and hikes. From safety to convenience, to fitness. The reach of GPS is expansive. It's the silent guardian. And the guide for a generation that can't fathom life without the interconnected wonders. But while we appreciate its present marvels. What about its future potential? As we wrap up ponder this. What emerging technologies will GPS power next. How LAR dependence evolve. Will it become even more personal, perhaps guiding, not just our physical journey. But our digital ones as well. What measures will we take to ensure the balance of security with accessibility? Try to dive deep on these thoughts. Until next time, keep questioning. And stay curious. Because even with all our advanced tools, The journey of discovery is still truly endless. Where will you navigate next? Safe travels.
