PrintIn Chapter 1 of the textbook, Introduction to Remote Sensing, Jim Campbell provides a narrative of the evolution of remote sensing and photogrammetry over the past two centuries. Some of this history is brought to life in a series of short videos, produced by ASPRS.
As you continue on in this course and in your further studies, bear in mind that the early innovators of remote sensing and photogrammetry did not have access to the sophisticated electronics and computing devices that we take for granted today! In fact, until very recently, it was often difficult to convince decision makers and managers that imagery could produce information as accurate (or even more accurate) than data collected on the ground.
Today, almost everyone with a computer, a television, or a cell phone is familiar with the common products of remote sensing and digital mapping. The challenge today is not seeking acceptance for these technologies as much as it is making end users and decision makers aware of certain limitations and uncertainties inherent in these products. Whereas production of an image base map used to require an expert and very specialized equipment, today it can be done with inexpensive software on a home computer. It quite easy to make a very accurate, useful product; it is just as easy to make a very inaccurate one. Professional expertise and experience is still needed to ensure that image base maps and elevation models meet target specifications and that they can be used appropriately in a broad range of applications.