Dashboard Rack Holds Road Map (Nov, 1950)
It’s just like GPS, except you have no idea where on the map you actually are.
Dashboard Rack Holds Road Map
Mounted on the dashboard, a plastic-covered map holder provides the driver with a ready reference while driving over strange roads. Two concealed bulbs in the top of the device illuminate the map without glare. The light cord plugs into any cigarette-lighter socket. A sliding plastic legs, mounted on a swivel so it can be used by either the driver or passenger, enlarges any portion of the map, providing a large, clear view of the details. The mounting arms hook into the defroster openings at the base of the windshield.
I’ed think getting a decent shot going at speed would be impossible...
50′s GPS?
Comment by Hirudinea — July 29, 2011 @ 8:38 am
“Maps: Helping mankind to navigate for years.”
Comment by Michael, N5RLR — July 29, 2011 @ 8:57 am
This just gave me a killer idea for a steampunkish project idea. A gps module controlling a crosshair attached to 2servos for x and y over laying a roadmap. Perfect digital to analog gps navigator steampunk style. What do ya think?
Comment by Civicbynature — July 29, 2011 @ 1:17 pm
Your idea for a steampunkish GPS “Civicbynature” sounds alot like the location system used in the Bridge of the Nautilus in the movie “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen”.
Comment by M.S.W. — July 29, 2011 @ 1:46 pm
Actually you could use a roller map for the Y and and a servo for the X.
Comment by lwatcdr — July 30, 2011 @ 7:57 pm
Those early devices were called “WSD”, Wife Screaming Directions.
Comment by Mike — July 30, 2011 @ 8:04 pm
To be a GPS it just needs a big pin you can move occasionally that reads “You Are Here”
Comment by Neil Russell — July 31, 2011 @ 11:08 am
The astrolabe permitted precise location and navigation in the XIV and XV centuries. It was introduced in Europe by arabs.
Comment by Omar Madureira — November 9, 2011 @ 2:10 pm