Land Surveyors United
Reality Capture for Architecture & Construction: 3D scanning helps ensure that…
Wed, 12 Mar 2025 22:00:24 +0000
Reality Capture for Architecture & Construction: 3D scanning helps ensure that…

Reality Capture for Architecture & Construction: 3D scanning helps ensure that a building’s dimensions and structural components match the design plans.
BIM (Building Information Modeling): This process is crucial in creating digital twins of structures for long-term maintenance and renovations.
Precision in Design: The skylight’s control points indicate that the scanner is likely being used for measuring accuracy and potential deviations from design specifications.

Have you encountered major discrepancies between as-built conditions and architectural plans? How did you handle them?

#surveyknowledge #landsurveyorsunited #LEARNsurveying #surveyhistory #landsurveyors #surveyequipment #surveyphotos #surveyingprofessionals
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Honestly - Can't tell if this is some kind of racetrack or a park with an…
Sun, 09 Mar 2025 18:00:07 +0000
Honestly - Can't tell if this is some kind of racetrack or a park with an…

Honestly - Can't tell if this is some kind of racetrack or a park with an interesting curb. Urban & Environmental Surveying – The total station is likely being used for roadway planning, park layout mapping, or topographical measurements. Surveying’s Role in Infrastructure – Even in tranquil settings, surveyors help shape walkways, road alignments, and green spaces that fit into urban development plans. Precision in Public Spaces – Properly mapping parks and roads ensures accessibility, drainage control, and landscape preservation.

Have you ever worked on a track of some kind - perhaps a recreational venue? Tell us what that experience entails.

#futurist #surveyingeducation #surveyingprofessionals #surveyknowledge #LEARNsurveying #surveyphotos #landsurveyors #surveyequipment #landsurveyorsunited #surveyors
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They don’t make them like they used to! A beautifully preserved vintage…
Wed, 12 Mar 2025 20:00:21 +0000
They don’t make them like they used to! A beautifully preserved vintage…

They don’t make them like they used to! A beautifully preserved vintage surveying transit, a precision instrument that predates modern total stations and digital theodolites. The brass and steel construction, intricate adjustment knobs, and finely calibrated compass reveal a time when surveyors relied on optical and mechanical precision rather than digital automation. The craftsmanship and durability of this instrument highlight the evolution of surveying tools over time. This transit symbolizes a pivotal era before electronic distance measurement (EDM) revolutionized the industry.

What’s the best way to introduce today’s surveyors to the history of the profession?

#landsurveyors #LEARNsurveying #surveyingprofessionals #surveyphotos #surveyknowledge #landsurveyorsunited #surveyors #surveyequipment #surveyhistory #vintagesurveyequipment
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David Meredith showing us the gear he started off with ... two vintage…
Wed, 12 Mar 2025 14:00:19 +0000
David Meredith showing us the gear he started off with ... two vintage…

David Meredith showing us the gear he started off with ... two vintage theodolites—a Wild T2 and a Soviet-era DKM1—resting on a detailed set of survey plans. The Wild T2 theodolite, a staple of mid-20th-century surveying, represents the pinnacle of optical-mechanical precision before digital instruments took over. The DKM1 theodolite, a robust Soviet counterpart, was widely used in Eastern Europe and developing regions.

What’s one piece of vintage surveying equipment you’d love to own?

#surveyhistory #surveyknowledge #surveyphotos #surveyequipment #futurist #landsurveyors #surveyors #landsurveyorsunited #LEARNsurveying #vintagesurveyequipment
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Surveying Heritage – The stone marker from 1922 could indicate a national…
Sat, 08 Mar 2025 16:00:07 +0000
Surveying Heritage – The stone marker from 1922 could indicate a national…

Surveying Heritage – The stone marker from 1922 could indicate a national border, a significant triangulation point, or a boundary set during early 20th-century land divisions. Elevation & Control Points – Towers like this often doubled as early survey control points or observation posts before modern GPS and aerial surveying. The tower, built in a medieval or fortress-like architectural style, serves as a dramatic focal point, hinting at a long-standing history of land surveying, territorial delineation, or geodetic measurements. Historical Cartography – Locations like this were crucial for early mapmaking, especially in mountainous or strategic regions.

How long do you think modern survey markers will last compared to these century-old stones?

#landsurveyors #surveyequipment #surveyphotos #surveyknowledge #surveyhistory #surveyors #surveyingprofessionals #surveyingeducation #LEARNsurveying #landsurveyorsunited #surveymarkers
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Surveyors in the upside down ... Precision & Perspective: The image creatively…
Fri, 14 Mar 2025 13:00:12 +0000
Surveyors in the upside down ... Precision & Perspective: The image creatively…

Surveyors in the upside down ... Precision & Perspective: The image creatively highlights the importance of accurate alignment in surveying, showing a real-world demonstration of optical targeting through a prism.
The prism is a key component in total station work, allowing surveyors to capture exact locations by reflecting signals.

How do you ensure your prism is perfectly aligned in tough field conditions?

#surveyphotos #surveyknowledge #surveyors #surveyingprofessionals #landsurveyorsunited #LEARNsurveying #futurist #surveyequipment
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Used for high-precision 3D mapping, layout, and structural monitoring, these…
Fri, 07 Mar 2025 17:00:06 +0000
Used for high-precision 3D mapping, layout, and structural monitoring, these…

Used for high-precision 3D mapping, layout, and structural monitoring, these stations are essential in construction, architecture, and geospatial documentation. Sometimes the surroundings that surveyors find are as interesting as the job itself. Anyone have a guess as to what we are looking at here? Fascinating geometric framework and complex wooden structures ... perhaps a museum? Tell us what you know.

#LEARNsurveying #surveyknowledge #landsurveyorsunited #surveyequipment #futurist #surveyingeducation #surveyphotos #landsurveyors #surveyingprofessionals
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Big machines, bigger responsibility—surveyors make it all happen. This stunning…
Sat, 08 Mar 2025 23:00:12 +0000
Big machines, bigger responsibility—surveyors make it all happen. This stunning…

Big machines, bigger responsibility—surveyors make it all happen. This stunning silhouette shot captures a surveyor communicating via radio, with a total station set up on a tripod against a fiery sunset. On the left, a massive bucket-wheel excavator looms, highlighting the scale of the operation—likely a mining or earthworks project.

Tell us about the most intense heavy equipment that you work with on a regular basis. What about that machinery do you most have to be aware of in order to maintain safety.

#landsurveyorsunited #surveyknowledge #futurist #LEARNsurveying #surveyequipment #surveyphotos #landsurveyors #surveyingprofessionals
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On a desert highway ... Surveyors must take extra precautions in…
Thu, 06 Mar 2025 21:00:13 +0000
On a desert highway ... Surveyors must take extra precautions in…

On a desert highway ... Surveyors must take extra precautions in high-temperature environments, including protective clothing and hydration. The use of face coverings suggests exposure to strong winds, dust, or extreme heat, which can affect both surveyors and equipment. Mapping and terrain modeling in arid environments help with infrastructure planning, drainage solutions, and environmental impact assessments. Surveyors often work in remote, inhospitable locations to ensure accurate land data before development can take place. Elmar C. Casas submitted from Davao City Philippines.

How do you protect sensitive equipment in sandy or high-heat conditions such as this?

#surveyequipment #surveyknowledge #surveyphotos #surveyingprofessionals #landsurveyors #landsurveyorsunited #surveyors #LEARNsurveying #gnsssurvey
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Barry Huntington - Surveying in the Waghi Valley, Papua New Guinea highlands…
Mon, 10 Mar 2025 11:30:03 +0000
Barry Huntington - Surveying in the Waghi Valley, Papua New Guinea highlands…

Barry Huntington - Surveying in the Waghi Valley, Papua New Guinea highlands 1964. Surveying in the 1960s – Without GPS, surveyors relied on optical instruments like transits, theodolites, and steel tapes to measure land accurately. The Papua New Guinea Highlands – A region known for its dense rainforests, rugged mountains, and cultural diversity, requiring precision surveying for infrastructure and mapping.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to a surveyor stepping into an unexplored or harsh environment?

#LEARNsurveying #landsurveyors #surveyequipment #surveyingeducation #surveyors #surveyphotos #futurist #surveyingprofessionals #landsurveyorsunited #historicphotos
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The device appears to be a borehole optical plummet or an inclinometer setup,…
Sat, 08 Mar 2025 00:00:07 +0000
The device appears to be a borehole optical plummet or an inclinometer setup,…

The device appears to be a borehole optical plummet or an inclinometer setup, used for verticality checks in deep foundation projects. The equipment is mounted on a drilled hole filled with a cementitious slurry or bentonite, indicating ongoing foundation work or subsurface investigations. The attached reel likely contains a measuring tape or depth gauge, essential for ensuring correct depth readings. This setup is commonly used in pile foundation alignment, tunnel surveying, or geotechnical assessments to monitor deviations in boreholes. Accurate borehole positioning is crucial for structural integrity, especially in bridge piers, high-rise foundations, and underground utilities.

Please if anyone can tell us more about a setup like this - tell us!

#surveyknowledge #surveyhistory #landsurveyorsunited #LEARNsurveying #surveyequipment #surveyingprofessionals #surveyphotos #surveyingeducation #surveyors #landsurveyors
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This historic black-and-white photograph captures a surveying crew working in a…
Fri, 14 Mar 2025 11:30:04 +0000
This historic black-and-white photograph captures a surveying crew working in a…

This historic black-and-white photograph captures a surveying crew working in a heavily forested area. A transit level is set up on a tripod at the center of the group, and several workers hold shovels and axes, suggesting they are clearing land for surveying purposes. Historical Importance: Early surveying played a key role in mapping territories, railroad expansion, and land division for settlement. Likely late 19th to early 20th century, as indicated by the clothing, equipment, and photographic style.

What’s one piece of modern surveying technology that early surveyors would be amazed by?

#LEARNsurveying #landsurveyorsunited #surveyequipment #surveyknowledge #surveyors #environmentalsurveys #surveyingprofessionals #futurist #landsurveyors #surveyphotos #historicphotos #surveyhistory
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Transmission Line Surveys: Essential for mapping power line corridors, ensuring…
Thu, 13 Mar 2025 22:30:02 +0000
Transmission Line Surveys: Essential for mapping power line corridors, ensuring…

Transmission Line Surveys: Essential for mapping power line corridors, ensuring proper alignment, right-of-way management, and safety. Electromagnetic Interference Considerations: Working near high-voltage lines can pose challenges for GNSS accuracy and total station reflections. Environmental Impact Studies: Surveyors play a role in assessing the impact of power line expansion on local ecosystems and communities.
Utility Asset Management: Surveying helps track infrastructure changes, guiding maintenance and expansion plans for power companies.

How do you ensure safety when working near high-voltage towers?

#surveyknowledge #landsurveyorsunited #surveyingprofessionals #futurist #surveyequipment #landsurveyors #surveyphotos #surveyors #LEARNsurveying #environmentalsurveys
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Structural Monitoring & Safety Surveys: This image highlights how surveyors…
Thu, 13 Mar 2025 18:00:09 +0000
Structural Monitoring & Safety Surveys: This image highlights how surveyors…

Structural Monitoring & Safety Surveys: This image highlights how surveyors play a crucial role in assessing underground infrastructure, ensuring tunnels remain safe for use.
Reality Capture in Critical Environments: Modern scanning technologies, like LiDAR and photogrammetry, enable accurate 3D mapping of deteriorating structures without placing surveyors in direct danger.

What are the biggest risks when working on tunnel surveys, and how do you mitigate them?

#surveyingprofessionals #surveyphotos #futurist #surveyknowledge #landsurveyors #LEARNsurveying #landsurveyorsunited #surveyors #surveyequipment #3DSurveys
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Not all jungle explorers work in the wild—some navigate a rebar jungle! The…
Fri, 07 Mar 2025 19:00:05 +0000
Not all jungle explorers work in the wild—some navigate a rebar jungle! The…

Not all jungle explorers work in the wild—some navigate a rebar jungle! The surveyor is ensuring proper alignment, depth verification, and geotechnical monitoring—crucial in deep foundation projects. The background shows soil nails and reinforcement, common in excavation shoring systems to prevent collapses. The depth and complexity of the site emphasize how surveyors play a key role in urban development.

What’s the deepest excavation site you’ve ever surveyed?

#landsurveyorsunited #surveyequipment #futurist #surveyingprofessionals #landsurveyors #surveyphotos #LEARNsurveying #surveyingeducation #surveyors #constructionsurvey
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Today, we mark 18 years of bringing land surveyors together from all corners of…
Fri, 07 Mar 2025 22:00:11 +0000
Today, we mark 18 years of bringing land surveyors together from all corners of…

Today, we mark 18 years of bringing land surveyors together from all corners of the world! Land Surveyors United has grown into a thriving global hub, and it’s all because of you—our incredible community. Your knowledge, passion, and dedication have shaped this network into something truly special.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Here’s to the past, present, and future of surveying!
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Postcard-Surveyors ...On Wooden Platforms- Everglades Fl. (H18) ...…
Wed, 12 Mar 2025 11:30:02 +0000
Postcard-Surveyors ...On Wooden Platforms- Everglades Fl. (H18) ...…

Postcard-Surveyors ...On Wooden Platforms- Everglades Fl. (H18) ... black-and-white postcard showcases two surveyors working in the Everglades, Florida, standing on a wooden platform with their instruments. The image captures the grit and precision of early land surveyors, who played a critical role in mapping one of the most challenging terrains in the United States. Before modern drainage and development, much of the Everglades was unmapped and difficult to traverse due to its swamps, wetlands, and shifting landscapes. Surveying on Wooden Platforms: To avoid sinking into soft ground, surveyors built temporary wooden platforms, showcasing the adaptability of early survey teams in extreme environments.

Have you ever worked in wetlands or extreme conditions? What adjustments did you have to make?

#surveyequipment #futurist #surveyknowledge #surveyors #surveyphotos #landsurveyorsunited #LEARNsurveying #landsurveyors #surveyhistory #historicphotos
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Original Press Photo WW2 Canal Zone Gunner Bombardier surveying land February…
Tue, 11 Mar 2025 11:30:08 +0000
Original Press Photo WW2 Canal Zone Gunner Bombardier surveying land February…

Original Press Photo WW2 Canal Zone Gunner Bombardier surveying land February 1941 ... black-and-white press photo from 1941 captures a World War II Gunner Bombardier surveying land in the Canal Zone. The soldier, wearing a British-style Brodie helmet and military uniform, is looking through an early surveying instrument. The Role of Military Surveyors: These specialists combined land navigation, geodesy, and engineering to ensure strategic advantage in warfare.

Have you ever worked on a military-related surveying project? What was unique about it?

#landsurveyors #futurist #surveyors #surveyequipment #LEARNsurveying #landsurveyorsunited #surveyknowledge #surveyphotos #surveyingprofessionals #militarysurveyor
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If Tron was about surveying ... if you ever wondered what a total station sees,…
Fri, 07 Mar 2025 00:00:22 +0000
If Tron was about surveying ... if you ever wondered what a total station sees,…

If Tron was about surveying ... if you ever wondered what a total station sees, here’s the ‘augmented’ reality of land surveying! Nice trippy surveying shot sent in from Pelham Alabama by Landon Richey.

How do you think augmented reality will impact the future of surveying?
Have you used LiDAR or 3D scanning in your fieldwork? What was your experience like?

#landsurveyors #landsurveyorsunited #LEARNsurveying #surveyphotos #surveyequipment #surveyingprofessionals #surveyhumor #ARSurveying #LidarSurveying #3DSurveys
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A TopoMAP 3D laser scanner is mounted on a tripod, capturing precise spatial…
Mon, 10 Mar 2025 20:00:05 +0000
A TopoMAP 3D laser scanner is mounted on a tripod, capturing precise spatial…

A TopoMAP 3D laser scanner is mounted on a tripod, capturing precise spatial data in what appears to be a large-scale industrial setting. The monochrome aesthetic enhances the technical and utilitarian feel of the scene, emphasizing structure and function. 3D laser scanning is revolutionizing industrial surveying by capturing high-density point clouds that provide incredibly detailed spatial data.
The steel framework and linear tracks suggest this could be a rail yard, mining operation, or a bulk material handling site where accurate volume assessments are critical. Jorge de Abajo Bedmar submitted this really nice image.

What’s your go-to 3D scanning system, and why?

#surveyequipment #landsurveyorsunited #futurist #landsurveyors #surveyknowledge #LEARNsurveying #surveyors #surveyphotos #surveyingprofessionals #3DSurveys
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Structural Layout & Monitoring – The total station is likely being used for…
Sun, 09 Mar 2025 16:00:04 +0000
Structural Layout & Monitoring – The total station is likely being used for…

Structural Layout & Monitoring – The total station is likely being used for staking out foundation points, ensuring vertical alignment of the columns, or monitoring site deformation. Construction Coordination – Surveyors work alongside engineers, crane operators, and builders, ensuring accuracy before permanent structures are placed.

Hard to say exactly what is going on in this photo ... give us your best guess!

#surveyingeducation #landsurveyors #surveyequipment #futurist #surveyingprofessionals #landsurveyorsunited #LEARNsurveying #surveyphotos #surveyknowledge #constructionsurvey
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The instrument appears to be a surveying transit or theodolite, crucial for…
Fri, 07 Mar 2025 21:00:05 +0000
The instrument appears to be a surveying transit or theodolite, crucial for…

The instrument appears to be a surveying transit or theodolite, crucial for early mining claims, topographic mapping, and property delineation. The rock pile surrounding the control point suggests a permanent reference marker, possibly a boundary monument or elevation benchmark. The landscape, with simple structures and arid terrain, is reminiscent of Arizona’s early mining towns during the late 1800s to early 1900s. Surveying in mining was essential for establishing claims, guiding excavation, and ensuring accurate geological assessments.

What do you think was the hardest part of doing a job like this during this era?

#surveyingeducation #surveyphotos #landsurveyors #LEARNsurveying #surveyequipment #surveyors #surveyingprofessionals #landsurveyorsunited #surveyknowledge #historicphotos #surveyhistory
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This image captures a high-tech industrial facility, with a surveyor using a…
Thu, 13 Mar 2025 20:00:11 +0000
This image captures a high-tech industrial facility, with a surveyor using a…

This image captures a high-tech industrial facility, with a surveyor using a handheld device to operate a laser scanner positioned on a tripod amid a maze of metallic pipes, tanks, and machinery. Digital Twin Technology: Scanning facilities like this allows engineers to create precise 3D models for design, safety checks, and efficiency improvements. Clash Detection & Asset Management: Scanning helps detect interferences in complex pipe systems, preventing costly construction errors.

How has reality capture changed industrial surveying in the past decade?

#landsurveyors #surveyors #futurist #3DSurveys #surveyphotos #surveyknowledge #surveyingprofessionals #surveyequipment #LEARNsurveying #landsurveyorsunited
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We love this photo - what can you guys tell us about it? Tower projects like…
Wed, 12 Mar 2025 16:00:14 +0000
We love this photo - what can you guys tell us about it? Tower projects like…

We love this photo - what can you guys tell us about it? Tower projects like this relied heavily on surveyors for control points, elevation accuracy, and alignment during its construction. Every modern high-rise or landmark structure begins with precise survey data to ensure stability, safety, and accuracy.

Have you ever had to correct a construction alignment issue? How did you handle it?

#surveyequipment #landsurveyorsunited #surveyknowledge #surveyphotos #futurist #surveyors #landsurveyors #LEARNsurveying #surveyingprofessionals
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This striking image captures Arnel Domag in a high-risk situation, standing in…
Tue, 11 Mar 2025 18:00:04 +0000
This striking image captures Arnel Domag in a high-risk situation, standing in…

This striking image captures Arnel Domag in a high-risk situation, standing in the bucket of a Volvo excavator while holding a prism pole over the edge of a water-filled excavation site. The surrounding landscape suggests this could be a quarry, reservoir, or large-scale earthmoving project. Surveyors often have to get creative when setting points in areas with limited access, requiring teamwork and heavy machinery. While using an excavator for positioning is unconventional, it's a real-world workaround for difficult terrain—though it raises some safety concerns.

What’s the wildest “field hack” you’ve seen to reach an impossible point?

#LEARNsurveying #surveyknowledge #landsurveyors #surveyequipment #landsurveyorsunited #surveyingprofessionals #surveyors #surveyphotos #futurist #constructionsurvey #environmentalsurveys
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Land Surveyors United
This image captures Noor Wira Masri, an offshore surveyor, standing on a rig…
Sat, 08 Mar 2025 19:00:02 +0000
This image captures Noor Wira Masri, an offshore surveyor, standing on a rig…

This image captures Noor Wira Masri, an offshore surveyor, standing on a rig platform, proudly presenting the massive offshore oil platform behind him. Offshore surveying is crucial – It ensures accurate positioning of rigs, subsea infrastructure, and pipelines. 3D Laser Scanning & GNSS Tech – Used for platform modeling, deformation monitoring, and structural analysis. Notably, the orange safety gear, hard hat, and harness highlight the critical safety measures required for working in such conditions.

Would you work on an offshore rig if given the chance? Why or why not?

#offshoresurveys #surveyingeducation #landsurveyorsunited #surveyequipment #surveyors #landsurveyors #surveyingprofessionals #LEARNsurveying #surveyphotos #futurist #3DSurveys
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The future of surveying starts here! Inspiring young minds with GeoSquad!…
Wed, 12 Mar 2025 18:00:19 +0000
The future of surveying starts here! Inspiring young minds with GeoSquad!…

The future of surveying starts here! Inspiring young minds with GeoSquad! Surveying Needs Young Talent: The industry faces a growing challenge in attracting new professionals, and outreach efforts like GeoSquad help bridge the knowledge gap.
Geospatial Education Matters: The magazine introduces kids to the fundamentals of geospatial science, mapping, and land surveying through engaging content.
Inspiring the Next Generation: Getting young people excited about surveying early could help address the profession’s workforce shortage.

What advice would you give to someone looking to inspire kids to explore surveying?

#landsurveyorsunited #futurist #surveyphotos #landsurveyors #LEARNsurveying #surveyknowledge #surveyors #surveyingprofessionals #femalesurveyors
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A true global platform for land surveyors to collaborate, network, and share…
Fri, 07 Mar 2025 22:30:02 +0000
What do ancient rope stretchers, Roman road builders, and Chinese astronomers have in common? Their surveying methods laid the groundwork for modern mapping, from GPS to AI-driven geospatial technology. Explore how the tools of the past continue to shape the way we measure and navigate the world today!

https://landsurveyorsunited.com/hubs/futurists/past/from-ancient-tools-to-modern-maps-the-enduring-influence-of-early

#surveyblog #surveyhistory #landsurveyorsunited #futurist #landsurveyors #surveyors #LEARNsurveying #surveyingeducation #surveyknowledge #ancientsurveying #birthofsurveying #firstsuveyors
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Structural Layout & Monitoring – The total station is likely being used for…
Sun, 09 Mar 2025 16:00:04 +0000
Structural Layout & Monitoring – The total station is likely being used for…

Structural Layout & Monitoring – The total station is likely being used for staking out foundation points, ensuring vertical alignment of the columns, or monitoring site deformation. Construction Coordination – Surveyors work alongside engineers, crane operators, and builders, ensuring accuracy before permanent structures are placed.

Hard to say exactly what is going on in this photo ... give us your best guess!

#surveyingeducation #landsurveyors #surveyequipment #futurist #surveyingprofessionals #landsurveyorsunited #LEARNsurveying #surveyphotos #surveyknowledge #constructionsurvey
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This image showcases a digital level set up on a tripod, on a steel-truss…
Sat, 08 Mar 2025 21:00:04 +0000
This image showcases a digital level set up on a tripod, on a steel-truss…

This image showcases a digital level set up on a tripod, on a steel-truss bridge under construction. The bridge deck is still in its early stages, with steel reinforcement bars (rebar) laid out, forming the foundation for the concrete surface. Critical Infrastructure Development – Surveying ensures the alignment, load-bearing calculations, and precision placement of bridge components. Construction Surveying at its Peak – Bridges require millimeter accuracy to maintain safety and structural integrity over time.

How does bridge surveying differ from other construction surveys?

#landsurveyors #surveyingeducation #futurist #surveyequipment #surveyingprofessionals #surveyphotos #landsurveyorsunited #LEARNsurveying #surveyors #constructionsurvey #surveyknowledge
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Charley Schram with a garage find he last used around 1987. This image…
Fri, 14 Mar 2025 16:00:09 +0000
Charley Schram with a garage find he last used around 1987. This image…

Charley Schram with a garage find he last used around 1987. This image showcases a collection of vintage survey chaining pins, featuring a distinctive red and white striped pattern with looped tops. Chaining pins (also known as marking or station pins) were commonly used for measuring distances before total stations and GPS took over.

Do you think modern tech will ever completely replace manual surveying tools? How do you feel about that one way or the other?

#surveyknowledge #LEARNsurveying #surveyingprofessionals #landsurveyorsunited #surveyphotos #futurist #surveyors #surveyequipment #vintagesurveyequipment #landsurveyors
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Surveyors in the upside down ... Precision & Perspective: The image creatively…
Fri, 14 Mar 2025 13:00:12 +0000
Surveyors in the upside down ... Precision & Perspective: The image creatively…

Surveyors in the upside down ... Precision & Perspective: The image creatively highlights the importance of accurate alignment in surveying, showing a real-world demonstration of optical targeting through a prism.
The prism is a key component in total station work, allowing surveyors to capture exact locations by reflecting signals.

How do you ensure your prism is perfectly aligned in tough field conditions?

#surveyphotos #surveyknowledge #surveyors #surveyingprofessionals #landsurveyorsunited #LEARNsurveying #futurist #surveyequipment
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This black-and-white historical photograph captures two land surveyors from…
Sat, 08 Mar 2025 14:00:09 +0000
This black-and-white historical photograph captures two land surveyors from…

This black-and-white historical photograph captures two land surveyors from Taylor, Wiseman & Taylor Engineers-Surveyors, likely from the mid-20th century, standing near a construction site of an elevated highway. Classic Field Equipment – The metal-cased surveyor’s instruments hint at optical theodolites or early electronic distance measuring (EDM) devices. Manual Calculations & Drafting – Unlike today's digital workflows, these surveyors would have relied on logbooks, slide rules, and hand-drawn maps to record measurements.

If you could bring back one old-school technique, what would it be?

#surveyingeducation #surveyingprofessionals #surveyknowledge #surveyequipment #LEARNsurveying #landsurveyors #surveyors #surveyhistory #surveyphotos #historicphotos
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The device appears to be a borehole optical plummet or an inclinometer setup,…
Sat, 08 Mar 2025 00:00:07 +0000
The device appears to be a borehole optical plummet or an inclinometer setup,…

The device appears to be a borehole optical plummet or an inclinometer setup, used for verticality checks in deep foundation projects. The equipment is mounted on a drilled hole filled with a cementitious slurry or bentonite, indicating ongoing foundation work or subsurface investigations. The attached reel likely contains a measuring tape or depth gauge, essential for ensuring correct depth readings. This setup is commonly used in pile foundation alignment, tunnel surveying, or geotechnical assessments to monitor deviations in boreholes. Accurate borehole positioning is crucial for structural integrity, especially in bridge piers, high-rise foundations, and underground utilities.

Please if anyone can tell us more about a setup like this - tell us!

#surveyknowledge #surveyhistory #landsurveyorsunited #LEARNsurveying #surveyequipment #surveyingprofessionals #surveyphotos #surveyingeducation #surveyors #landsurveyors
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David Meredith showing us the gear he started off with ... two vintage…
Wed, 12 Mar 2025 14:00:19 +0000
David Meredith showing us the gear he started off with ... two vintage…

David Meredith showing us the gear he started off with ... two vintage theodolites—a Wild T2 and a Soviet-era DKM1—resting on a detailed set of survey plans. The Wild T2 theodolite, a staple of mid-20th-century surveying, represents the pinnacle of optical-mechanical precision before digital instruments took over. The DKM1 theodolite, a robust Soviet counterpart, was widely used in Eastern Europe and developing regions.

What’s one piece of vintage surveying equipment you’d love to own?

#surveyhistory #surveyknowledge #surveyphotos #surveyequipment #futurist #landsurveyors #surveyors #landsurveyorsunited #LEARNsurveying #vintagesurveyequipment
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This image captures an intriguing juxtaposition of a total station set up on a…
Mon, 10 Mar 2025 16:00:08 +0000
This image captures an intriguing juxtaposition of a total station set up on a…

This image captures an intriguing juxtaposition of a total station set up on a tripod beside a large industrial milling or machining unit, with a person sitting nearby, possibly waiting for data collection or machine processing. The combination of high-precision measurement and industrial machinery suggests a surveying application in a manufacturing or calibration setting. The presence of a high-precision machining unit suggests this is a facility where surveying meets engineering, likely for alignment verification or machine calibration.

How does surveying in a controlled indoor setting compare to traditional outdoor land surveying?

#surveyingeducation #surveyphotos #surveyknowledge #futurist #surveyors #surveyingprofessionals #surveyequipment #LEARNsurveying #landsurveyorsunited #landsurveyors
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Used for high-precision 3D mapping, layout, and structural monitoring, these…
Fri, 07 Mar 2025 17:00:06 +0000
Used for high-precision 3D mapping, layout, and structural monitoring, these…

Used for high-precision 3D mapping, layout, and structural monitoring, these stations are essential in construction, architecture, and geospatial documentation. Sometimes the surroundings that surveyors find are as interesting as the job itself. Anyone have a guess as to what we are looking at here? Fascinating geometric framework and complex wooden structures ... perhaps a museum? Tell us what you know.

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This historic black-and-white photograph captures a surveying crew working in a…
Fri, 14 Mar 2025 11:30:04 +0000
This historic black-and-white photograph captures a surveying crew working in a…

This historic black-and-white photograph captures a surveying crew working in a heavily forested area. A transit level is set up on a tripod at the center of the group, and several workers hold shovels and axes, suggesting they are clearing land for surveying purposes. Historical Importance: Early surveying played a key role in mapping territories, railroad expansion, and land division for settlement. Likely late 19th to early 20th century, as indicated by the clothing, equipment, and photographic style.

What’s one piece of modern surveying technology that early surveyors would be amazed by?

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Structural Monitoring & Safety Surveys: This image highlights how surveyors…
Thu, 13 Mar 2025 18:00:09 +0000
Structural Monitoring & Safety Surveys: This image highlights how surveyors…

Structural Monitoring & Safety Surveys: This image highlights how surveyors play a crucial role in assessing underground infrastructure, ensuring tunnels remain safe for use.
Reality Capture in Critical Environments: Modern scanning technologies, like LiDAR and photogrammetry, enable accurate 3D mapping of deteriorating structures without placing surveyors in direct danger.

What are the biggest risks when working on tunnel surveys, and how do you mitigate them?

#surveyingprofessionals #surveyphotos #futurist #surveyknowledge #landsurveyors #LEARNsurveying #landsurveyorsunited #surveyors #surveyequipment #3DSurveys
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If Tron was about surveying ... if you ever wondered what a total station sees,…
Fri, 07 Mar 2025 00:00:22 +0000
If Tron was about surveying ... if you ever wondered what a total station sees,…

If Tron was about surveying ... if you ever wondered what a total station sees, here’s the ‘augmented’ reality of land surveying! Nice trippy surveying shot sent in from Pelham Alabama by Landon Richey.

How do you think augmented reality will impact the future of surveying?
Have you used LiDAR or 3D scanning in your fieldwork? What was your experience like?

#landsurveyors #landsurveyorsunited #LEARNsurveying #surveyphotos #surveyequipment #surveyingprofessionals #surveyhumor #ARSurveying #LidarSurveying #3DSurveys
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Classic Surveyor Struggles: The image perfectly captures the grit, patience,…
Tue, 11 Mar 2025 14:00:11 +0000
Classic Surveyor Struggles: The image perfectly captures the grit, patience,…

Classic Surveyor Struggles: The image perfectly captures the grit, patience,…

Classic Surveyor Struggles: The image perfectly captures the grit, patience, and humor required in land surveying, especially in harsh environments. Check out these amazing drawings by my late Father, a British Columbia Land Surveyor - submitted by David Meredith. This hand-drawn cartoon illustration humorously depicts two rugged surveyors working under extreme conditions—soaked in mud and rain, battling the elements while maintaining their precision. The detail in their weathered clothing, the vintage surveying instrument, and the classic level rod captures a traditional surveying experience filled with hardship, dedication, and a bit of dark humor. Thanks for sharing David!

Do you have any favorite drawings or cartoons about surveying life? Please share with us!

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The instrument appears to be a surveying transit or theodolite, crucial for…
Fri, 07 Mar 2025 21:00:05 +0000
The instrument appears to be a surveying transit or theodolite, crucial for…

The instrument appears to be a surveying transit or theodolite, crucial for early mining claims, topographic mapping, and property delineation. The rock pile surrounding the control point suggests a permanent reference marker, possibly a boundary monument or elevation benchmark. The landscape, with simple structures and arid terrain, is reminiscent of Arizona’s early mining towns during the late 1800s to early 1900s. Surveying in mining was essential for establishing claims, guiding excavation, and ensuring accurate geological assessments.

What do you think was the hardest part of doing a job like this during this era?

#surveyingeducation #surveyphotos #landsurveyors #LEARNsurveying #surveyequipment #surveyors #surveyingprofessionals #landsurveyorsunited #surveyknowledge #historicphotos #surveyhistory
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Honestly - Can't tell if this is some kind of racetrack or a park with an…
Sun, 09 Mar 2025 18:00:07 +0000
Honestly - Can't tell if this is some kind of racetrack or a park with an…

Honestly - Can't tell if this is some kind of racetrack or a park with an interesting curb. Urban & Environmental Surveying – The total station is likely being used for roadway planning, park layout mapping, or topographical measurements. Surveying’s Role in Infrastructure – Even in tranquil settings, surveyors help shape walkways, road alignments, and green spaces that fit into urban development plans. Precision in Public Spaces – Properly mapping parks and roads ensures accessibility, drainage control, and landscape preservation.

Have you ever worked on a track of some kind - perhaps a recreational venue? Tell us what that experience entails.

#futurist #surveyingeducation #surveyingprofessionals #surveyknowledge #LEARNsurveying #surveyphotos #landsurveyors #surveyequipment #landsurveyorsunited #surveyors
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World War 2 WW2 Original photo European Arena German surveying unit #234. This…
Tue, 11 Mar 2025 16:00:03 +0000
World War 2 WW2 Original photo European Arena German surveying unit #234. This…

World War 2 WW2 Original photo European Arena German surveying unit #234. This historical photograph from World War II showcases a German military surveying unit in the European theater of war. Geodetic Intelligence in WWII: Military surveyors provided crucial battlefield topography, enemy position mapping, and infrastructure planning. Field Equipment: The photograph features early military geodetic instruments mounted on tripods, a rugged military Jeep-style transport, and soldiers in standard issue uniforms, reinforcing their role in tactical operations.

What are some of the most significant military surveying advancements that still impact the field today?

#surveyors #futurist #surveyknowledge #LEARNsurveying #landsurveyors #landsurveyorsunited #surveyequipment #surveyphotos #surveyingprofessionals #militarysurveyor
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This Leica won’t help you measure angles, but it sure turns heads. This could…
Sun, 09 Mar 2025 20:00:03 +0000
This Leica won’t help you measure angles, but it sure turns heads. This could…

This Leica won’t help you measure angles, but it sure turns heads. This could be a collector’s piece or a promotional item, reflecting Leica’s reputation in both surveying and photography. This close-up macro shot captures a wooden Leica model with the iconic red Leica logo in sharp focus. The craftsmanship of the model is apparent, featuring precise cutouts and smooth wooden detailing. Leica instruments have been pivotal in land surveying, GNSS, and total station technology, and this wooden model is a symbol of craftsmanship, precision, and innovation.

If you could have one surveying instrument created as a piece of art - what would you choose?

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We love this photo - what can you guys tell us about it? Tower projects like…
Wed, 12 Mar 2025 16:00:14 +0000
We love this photo - what can you guys tell us about it? Tower projects like…

We love this photo - what can you guys tell us about it? Tower projects like this relied heavily on surveyors for control points, elevation accuracy, and alignment during its construction. Every modern high-rise or landmark structure begins with precise survey data to ensure stability, safety, and accuracy.

Have you ever had to correct a construction alignment issue? How did you handle it?

#surveyequipment #landsurveyorsunited #surveyknowledge #surveyphotos #futurist #surveyors #landsurveyors #LEARNsurveying #surveyingprofessionals
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This image captures a high-tech industrial facility, with a surveyor using a…
Thu, 13 Mar 2025 20:00:11 +0000
This image captures a high-tech industrial facility, with a surveyor using a…

This image captures a high-tech industrial facility, with a surveyor using a handheld device to operate a laser scanner positioned on a tripod amid a maze of metallic pipes, tanks, and machinery. Digital Twin Technology: Scanning facilities like this allows engineers to create precise 3D models for design, safety checks, and efficiency improvements. Clash Detection & Asset Management: Scanning helps detect interferences in complex pipe systems, preventing costly construction errors.

How has reality capture changed industrial surveying in the past decade?

#landsurveyors #surveyors #futurist #3DSurveys #surveyphotos #surveyknowledge #surveyingprofessionals #surveyequipment #LEARNsurveying #landsurveyorsunited
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A true global platform for land surveyors to collaborate, network, and share…
Thu, 06 Mar 2025 22:30:03 +0000
Spanning over 13,000 miles of mountains, deserts, and rivers, the Great Wall of China wasn’t just an engineering marvel—it was a surveying triumph. Ancient Chinese surveyors used astronomy, geometry, and elevation control to align and construct one of the longest structures in history. Discover the measurement techniques that made it possible!

https://landsurveyorsunited.com/hubs/futurists/past/the-great-wall-of-china-surveying-across-continents

#surveyblog #surveyhistory #landsurveyorsunited #futurist #landsurveyors #surveyors #LEARNsurveying #surveyingeducation #surveyknowledge #ancientsurveying #birthofsurveying #firstsuveyors
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Barry Huntington - Surveying in the Waghi Valley, Papua New Guinea highlands…
Mon, 10 Mar 2025 11:30:03 +0000
Barry Huntington - Surveying in the Waghi Valley, Papua New Guinea highlands…

Barry Huntington - Surveying in the Waghi Valley, Papua New Guinea highlands 1964. Surveying in the 1960s – Without GPS, surveyors relied on optical instruments like transits, theodolites, and steel tapes to measure land accurately. The Papua New Guinea Highlands – A region known for its dense rainforests, rugged mountains, and cultural diversity, requiring precision surveying for infrastructure and mapping.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to a surveyor stepping into an unexplored or harsh environment?

#LEARNsurveying #landsurveyors #surveyequipment #surveyingeducation #surveyors #surveyphotos #futurist #surveyingprofessionals #landsurveyorsunited #historicphotos
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Not all jungle explorers work in the wild—some navigate a rebar jungle! The…
Fri, 07 Mar 2025 19:00:05 +0000
Not all jungle explorers work in the wild—some navigate a rebar jungle! The…

Not all jungle explorers work in the wild—some navigate a rebar jungle! The surveyor is ensuring proper alignment, depth verification, and geotechnical monitoring—crucial in deep foundation projects. The background shows soil nails and reinforcement, common in excavation shoring systems to prevent collapses. The depth and complexity of the site emphasize how surveyors play a key role in urban development.

What’s the deepest excavation site you’ve ever surveyed?

#landsurveyorsunited #surveyequipment #futurist #surveyingprofessionals #landsurveyors #surveyphotos #LEARNsurveying #surveyingeducation #surveyors #constructionsurvey
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