History of Cartography Project to celebrate Volume Six April 25

April 13th 2015 Simon Kuran
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Why do maps need a new history? Maps and mapping technology have become global in every sense of the word — appearing like magic on our hand-held devices, influencing our news, informing education, describing the human genome, and inspiring poetry. People, cultures, and societies have produced and used maps through the ages. The History of Cartography Project has now published a new volume that examines mapping in the 20th century.

The Department of Geography, the University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries and Friends of the Libraries will celebrate the recent release of Cartography in the Twentieth Century, ed. Mark Monmonier, Volume Six of The History of Cartography series, Saturday, April 25 in Science Hall (550 N. Park Street, Madison).

The event begins at 4 p.m. with a talk by History of Cartography Project Director Matthew Edney in Room 180. A reception follows from 5-7 p.m. in the Geography Library (Room 280). Attendees can enjoy an interactive display on 20th-century cartography (from World War I to web-based wayfinding and the Weather Channel), browse the print and e-book versions of Volume Six, and talk with the project editors and staff who prepare the series at UW-Madison.

UW-Madison staff will also provide tours of the Arthur H. Robinson Map Library and the Cartography Laboratory in Science Hall.

Parking is available at the Lake Street ramp or below Helen C. White Library on N. Park Street. Use the rear entrance to access Science Hall without stairs.

A complementary exhibit, Mapmaking: Sources from the Geography Library, Map Library, and Special Collections, will be on display in the Department of Special Collections in Memorial Library (728 State Street, Room 976). The exhibit runs from Wednesday through August 14, with special hours from 1-4 p.m. on April 25.

The History of Cartography is an award-winning series, published by the University of Chicago Press, that investigates maps as the products of human art, politics, science, and life. Earlier publications in the series cover prehistory through the Renaissance and are freely accessible online. Volumes studying the Enlightenment and 19th century are well underway. Volume Six uses 529 articles contributed by more than 300 experts and more than 1,100 full-color images to discuss a wide range of topics, including how 20th-century cartography has been a tool for coping with complexity, organizing knowledge, and influencing public opinion.

To read more about Volume Six, including how to order a copy, visit the History of Cartography Project website.