An Uneasy Transformation: Delivering Ordnance Survey's Digital Mapping of Great Britain 1962-95; a personal account

By Peter Wesley

The Untold Story of Great Britain's Digital Mapping Project

Discover the remarkable journey of Ordnance Survey's decades-long mission to digitise Great Britain's large-scale mapping archive comprising some 230,000 map sheets. In this compelling account, Peter Wesley captures the persistence, ingenuity, and social transformation behind one of the most ambitious cartographic projects ever undertaken.

Drawing on two years of meticulous research, Wesley delves into his first-hand experiences, rich with anecdotes, to illuminate the technological and organisational challenges faced during this four-decade endeavour. The story unfolds through the lens of Ordnance Survey's evolution, from pioneering digital techniques to navigating a rapidly changing landscape of customer demands.

Originally completed over 25 years ago, this account faced setbacks and near obscurity. Now, with copyright hurdles cleared, it sees the light of day, offering:

An unparalleled historical perspective on the digitisation of Great Britain's maps.Personal reflections and behind-the-scenes details of the staff who made it possible.A tribute to Ordnance Survey's legacy and its lasting impact on modern cartography.

Peter Wesley's work is more than a history - it's a testament to innovation, perseverance, and the value of preserving knowledge for future generations.

Available now. Don't miss this essential read for historians, researchers, scholars, students and anyone passionate about the intersection of geography, technology, and history.

Net proceeds from sales will be donated to Mind, a mental health charity.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0DXKT3JHB
• ISBN13: 9798310220270
• Release Date: February 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 356 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.0"