Computer Graphics: GIS Geographic Information System (database, mapping, ARCinfo, ARCview) 1988

An excellent promotional film from 34 years ago describes computer graphics applications integrated with databases to provide a Geographic Information System. Produced by ESRI, an international supplier of GIS software, web GIS and geodatabase management applications. The company was founded in 1969 as the Environmental Systems Research Institute , as a land-use consulting firm. This film from 1988 provides a nice introduction to GIS. Color, 11 mins. 1988 ** Thank you very much to all our viewers and supporters! YouTube now offers a quick way to leave a tip if you would like to help us produce more historical content, just click on the “THANKS“ and heart symbol above. Thanks so much! ~ CHAP ESRI products include ArcInfo, ArcEditor, ArcView, ArcGIS and others. More info from the ESRI web site: A geographic information system (GIS) is a system that creates, manages, analyzes, and maps all types of data. GIS connects data to a map, integrating location data (where things are) with all types of descriptive information (what things are like there). This provides a foundation for mapping and analysis that is used in science and almost every industry. GIS helps users understand patterns, relationships, and geographic context. The benefits include improved communication and efficiency as well as better management and decision making. Here is a very brief Time-Line of key events from 1981 to 1993: 1981 – Arc/Info R1 released 1983 – Arc/Info R2 released – 17 systems in use 1984 – 40 Arc/Info systems are in use 1985 – Arc/Info 3 1986 – Surpass the 100 seat milestone as 105 systems are in use 1987 – Arc/Info 4 1988 – 1500 systems in use 1989 – Arc/Info 5 1990 – First ESRI Press book released “Understanding GIS The Arc/Info Method” 1991 – Arc/Info 6, 7000 seats in use 1992 – Arc/Info is 10 years old 1993 – ArcView is released to the World more can be found at and