GPS Tracking

Have you ever wondered how your parents can find a way to get anywhere without having to use a map or even ask for directions? Well it's actually quite simple! All your parent's have to do to find directions is put the address they want to go to into a device called a GPS. A GPS gives you a picture of the street you are on and where to go next. It gives you step by step directions until you get to where you want to be. To use GPS you can use different devices such as a handheld GPS, a cell phone or a software in your parents car. Here to help you navigate your way through this blog is Gene who is willing to help you understand how GPS's were first created and used.

Hello all! My name is Gene and you can see a picture of myself with a GPS off to your right. I am here to help make your stop here a little easier.

ALL ABOARD- STOP ONE

To start our tour, we are going to begin with some background information on how the GPS was first created! To start, the United States Navy first created and tested the GPS in 1960. They started out small in this phase with only five satellites in the satellite system that orbited the earth at all times (1). When the Navy's ships were out at sea, they would send their location to the closest satellite which would then read the information and send it to the Navy base. By getting the location of the ships out at sea, it let the Navy officers know where their ships were and if the men on them were safe and sound from harm.

When the GPS was first created, only the Navy was allowed to use it. It wasn't until 23 years later that the government let citizens, like you and I, use it (1). Since the citizens have been able to use the GPS, life has been made easier for everyone. When it first came out to everyone, GPS was first used for packages. Large company's like Walmart or Amazon would put a GPS tracking device on a package before sending it out to the receiver (2). This helped not only the company but also the buyer in knowing where there package was in the process of getting to them, as well as letting the company know if the package was lost during the process or if it arrived safely to the buyer.

STOP TWO

Next on our tour, we are going to look at how the GPS has influenced us in today's world. My generation, as well as yours, are surrounded by technology at all times. Whether you use your cell phone or a computer, you are able to access a GPS. Most, if not all, cell phones come with a GPS tracking device already downloaded in the phone. This means that if you find yourself lost, you have the right technology to find your way to where you want to go just as long as you have your cell phone handy. If you have never used the GPS on your phone, the picture to the left gives you a sense of how it works. The GPS gives you a picture of where you are and where you want to go and gives you the easiest way to go about it.

STOP THREE- FINAL DESTINATION

Our third and final stop on our tour is a recap of what we talked about on todays adventures. The GPS was first created in 1960 by the United States Navy and has since helped and benefited everyone since. Although it was restricted from the use of citizens up until 1983, it has grown into a useful device. Now we use it for many different reasons such as getting directions. Well, everyone, I hoped you liked your tour with us today and hope you come back soon!


Resources:
(1) "History of GPS- Mio Technology." History of GPS- Mio Technology. N.p., N.d. Web. 03 Apr. 2015

(2) Xu, Dawei., Deng, Leilei., & Ren, Shan. (2014). Development of Logistics Tracking System Based on RFID, GPS, GPRS. Applied Mechanics and Materials, 644-650, 5717-5720. doi: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.644-650.5717