A Look at the History and Future of Animated Maps

Compared to static maps, animated maps have always been difficult to make, distribute, and access. The PC and Internet revolutions have greatly improved opportunities for animated maps, and a new era of on-demand animated maps is emerging. In this article, a three-tier historical framework is presented that identifies the key conceptual and technological developments of animated cartography related to the means of production, methods of distribution, and modes of use. Such a historical overview is largely missing from the cartographic literature and helps to situate current developments and issues within a broader social and technological context. The future development and direction of animated maps can be informed by identifying the pivotal ideas and technologies of the last 60 years. It is worth revisiting foundational — but technologically impractical — ideas for animated maps developed by pioneering cartographers in the pre-digital and pre-Web era. This research also includes a look at important remaining technological and conceptual hurdles in the production and distribution of animated maps (e.g., bandwidth, vector-based animation, and automated production) and examines future prospects for on-demand animated mapping systems.