Image: RNT Foundation President Dana Goward introducing Dr. Brad Parkinson and Mr. Matteo Luccio, EIC GPS World (RNT Foundation)
What’s New: A GPS World report on the GPS 50th Birthday Party we held last week in Houston. Also a video of the historic interview with Dr. Brad Parkinson, “the father of GPS.”
Why It’s Important: This was a historic event and opportunity. And because it was recorded, everyone can see it.
- Click here to download your copy of the event program and booklet. – See how many GPS trivia questions you can answer!
What Else to Know:
- RNT Foundation hosts PNT community events every six months. Join now to help support our mission and ensure you stay informed!
- A special thanks to our corporate members who sponsored this event (listed in order of joining):
UrsaNav, Institute of Navigation, Royal Institute of Navigation, Hellen Systems, Continental Electronics, Safran, Spirent, Microchip, Hexagon/NoVatel, Locata, Keysight, National Association of Broadcasters
Celebrating 50 years of GPS: An evening with the father of GPS
Dana Goward, President of the Resilient Navigation and Timing Foundation, introducing Brad Parkinson and Matteo Luccio, GPS World EIC. (Image: RNTF)
On December 5, in Houston, Texas, at a gala event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of GPS hosted by the Resilient Navigation and Timing Foundation, Matteo Luccio, Editor-in-Chief of GPS World, interviewed Brad Parkinson.
Here are two excerpts from the interview:
How does GPS today differ from the design that came out of the Lonely Halls meeting 50 years ago this past September?
Well, I’m very proud of what happened because, to my knowledge, there is no fundamental difference. Basically, that fundamental design has held up. … As a matter of fact, I still have one of the old Trimble handhelds, it’s called an EnsignGPS. It was one of those little devices that got shipped to the Iraq War. The other day, I pulled it out, batteries were kind of crummy, I got those squared away and went out, sure enough and navigated. I probably hadn’t pulled it out in at least 20 years. The point of the story is that evidently it still works.
What do you consider the most significant impact of GPS on society?
Well, the most significant impact is also probably the most perilous: kids today just take it for granted. They know where they are.
Watch the full interview below.
