Collection Summary
Nicholas R. Chrisman collection: Gray
literature on the origins of computerized geographic information systems. 1956-2006
1956-2006
G70.2 coll Chrisman
41 boxes (21 linear ft.)
English
French
Collection material in English and French
Geography amp; Map Division, Library of Congress
Washington, D.C.
Nicholas R. Chrisman is a pioneer in the
field of geographic information systems, known commonly as GIS. From 1972 to 1983, he
worked at the Harvard Lab for Computer Graphics and Spatial Analysis; he went to work in
GIS research, instruction, and journal publications as an editor and writer. His
forty-plus year career is represented in this collection of 41 archival boxes containing
gray literature, manuscripts, letters and other printed material; it also contains GIS maps,
computer files, software, and printouts.
Selected Search Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the LC Catalog. They are grouped by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and by occupation and listed alphabetically.
People
Chrisman, Nicholas R.
Subjects
Cartography--History.
Historical geographic information systems.
Form/Genre
Manuscript maps.
Provenance
The materials were donated by Nicholas R. Chrisman in 2014.
Processing History
The collection was arranged and described by Yannick Grandcolas in 2016-2017.
Copyright Status
The status of copyright of the Nicholas Chrisman gray literature collection is
governed by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.C.).
Access and Restrictions
The Nicholas R. Chrisman collection is open to research. Researchers are advised to
contact the Geography & Map Reading Room prior to visiting. Many collections are
stored off-site and advance notice is needed to retrieve these items for research
use.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following
information: Container number, Nicholas R. Chrisman collection, Geography & Map
Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Biographical Note
Nicholas R. Chrisman was active in the development of geographic information systems
as a former researcher at the Harvard Laboratory for Computer and Spatial Analysis,
where he was employed from 1972 to 1982. From 1982 to 1987, he was Assistant
Professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture at the University of
Wisconsin-Madison, and from 1987 to 2004, Professor of Geography at University of
Washington. From 2005 to 2012, he was Professor of Geomatics Sciences at the
Université Laval, Canada as Scientific Director of the GEOIDE Network. He was
Professor of Geospatial Science and Discipline Head at RMIT University in Melbourne,
Australia in 2013-14.
Scope and Content Note
The collection consists of 41 boxes of archival materials that span from 1956 to
2006.
Arrangement of the Collection
The collection is organized into a three series
-
[
Series I
](ser1) Gray Literature, Periodical Papers, and Others
-
[
Series II
](ser2) Files: Letters, Articles
-
[
Series III
](ser3) Computer Listings
Container List
Container
Contents
Gray Literature, Periodical Papers, and
Others
1-2
Harvard library of computer graphics, mapping
collection, Laboratory for Computer Graphics and Spatial Analysis, Vol. 1-18.
with bookmarks. 1979-1981
1979-1981
1-2
Gray literature papers and periodical
publications 1969 – 1980
1969 – 1980
Interstate 57, Corridor selection study.
University of Wisconsin, 1969
1-2
Gray literature papers and periodical
publications 1969 – 1980
1969 – 1980
Interstate 57, Corridor selection study.
University of Wisconsin, 1969
Computer atlas of Bangla Desh. Department of
geography, Oneonta, New-York, 1972. (LoC property)
Computer cartography, Association of
American Geographers, Washington, D.C., 1972
An automated fuzzy reasoning algorithm.
University of Bristol. 1980
1-2
Dossier John Snyder: contain originals maps
graphic slides, folded maps, satellite imagery 1976-1982
1976-1982
3
Gray literature papers and periodical
publications 1974 –1991
1974 –1991
Geological survey, research 1974, U.S. Dept.
of the Interior
Remote sensing of the electro magnetic
spectrum. 4. 1977
USGS papers 1982-1990
Letter from PR David Rhind and Ordnance
survey annual report 1990/1991. Southampton. U.K
3
François Bouillé papers n/a
n/a
Computer and Geosciences. Vol. 2.
Structure des phénomènes géologiques et
archivage en banque de données
Geological simulation using SIMULA. 1976.
Thesis: Un modèle universel de banque de
données, simultanément partageable, portable et répartie. Université Pierre
et Marie Curie. Paris. 1977. Abstracts in English
4
Gray literature papers and periodical
publications , U.S., Canada and France 1972 –1997
1972 –1997
Geocoding ’72, papers of the Geographic base
file SIG sessions, 1972. Annual URISA Conference, San Francisco, USA.
François Bouillé papers and periodical
publications: 1974-1978
auto-carto II, proceedings of the
international symposium on computer assisted cartography, 1975
5
Gray literature papers, periodical
publications, maps 1972-1990
1972-1990
1st International Hypergraph-Based Data
Structure, Lisbon, Portugal, 1979, with manuscripts comments in English and
French from François Bouillé
USGS periodical publications 1972-1990 and 2
maps: Index of digital line graphs, 1988, and Status of digital mapping,
1990
Proceedings of the International conference
on automation in cartography 1974, Vancouver, Canada.
6
Gray literature papers, conferences and files
1972-1990
1972-1990
Files 1967-1987 :
Bruce G. Cook, early Australian article 1967
N. Chrisman, undergraduate Honor Thesis,
Community identification in Northampton, 1972
Census publications 1979
N. Chrisman, PhD Original graphics.
N. Chrisman, original PhD, Methods of
spatial analysis based on error in categorical maps, University of Bristol,
1982
Correspondence with PR W. Tobler, 1987.
Waldo Tobler’s PhD copy, Map transformations
of geographic space, University of Washington. 1961.
2nd symposium on geographical information
systems, Ottawa, Canada. 1972, a synopsis, D. David Moyer, University of
Wisconsin
Papers from the 1984 annual conference
URISA, Urban and regional information systems association, Seattle,
Washington
The computer image, Donald Greenberg and al.
1982. ISBN 0-201-06192-9
7
Gray literature papers and files
1966-1987
1966-1987
Waldo Tobler’s papers 1966-1977
Harvard papers 1978-1986
KNRIS user guide to the data and
capabilities of the Kentucky, Dept. for surface mining reclamation and
enforcement, 1982
Spatial algorithms for processing land data
with a microcomputer, colloquium, Lincoln institute of land policy,
Cambridge, MA, 1983
A survey of G.I.S., The American farmland
trust, 1985
Polygon overlay in prolog, Peter Y.F. Yu,
Image processing lab., Troy, NY, 1987. Attached manuscript letter to Dr.
White
7
Files 1970-1978
1970-1978
Wichita falls consortium, G.I.S., 1970.
Harvard laboratory for computer graphics
analysis, 1978
Article about PR Edgar M. Horwood, 1985.
8
Gray literature papers
1956, 1977-1998
1956, 1977-1998
Statistical symbols for maps, Map
laboratory, Yale, 1956
Geomap final RFP 1983. (Reserve, U. of
Washington libraries property)
Denis White, Carl Steinitz, Alternative
future for minute man National historical park, Cambridge MA, 1985.
Point in polygon algorithms, Helaman Rolfe
Pratt Ferguson, University of Washington, 1986?
Others
9
Gray literature papers, correspondence,
periodical publications and book 1972-1992
1972-1992
Standard FORTRAN programming manual,
National computing centre, 1972
Letter from PR P.A. Burrough, cooperation
with Utrecht University.
10
Gray literature papers, correspondence, memo,
periodical publications and book 1969-1992
1969-1992
Gray literature papers, correspondence,
memo, periodical publications and book 1969-1992
Letter to N.C. from University of Wisconsin,
1987
Manuscript memo N.C. Auto-Carto 7, 1985.
11
Gray literature papers, correspondence,
periodical publication 1962-1992
1962-1992
Letter to N. Chrisman from Polaroid Corp.,
1982. Enclosed document Graphic Harmony not found
Document from Prime computer, Inc., Orpheus
project enclosed, a geoprocessing technology integration, 1988
USGS letter 1992, with comments on Kottman’s
booklet Some questions and answers about digital geographic information
exchange standards, 1991
U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Interactive expert
editing subsystem, 2 vol., 1987
Thomas M. Lillesand, A proposal for the
National center for geographic information analysis to the National Science
Foundation, U. of Wisconsin-Madison, 1988
11
N. Chrisman correspondence and manuscripts:
1978-1982
1978-1982
Sidewalks / computation, draft article on
National need for improved geographic information handling and Harvard lab.
1978-1980
Clifford A. Kottman, comments from N.
Chrisman on Some questions and answers about digital geographic information
exchange standards. 1982
Digitization calibration, letters from
IOM-Towill, an automated digitizing service, 1982
12
Publications 1966-1989
1966-1989
The Lab book, Harvard, 1966-1973. With
comments on Post-Its. Ring binder
Harvard booklet for the staff, 1976.
13
Files and Harvard papers
1972-1990
1972-1990
John Cloud, 1986-87
ACSM – ASPRS American Society for
Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, awards, 1987
Hrvoje Lakatela original graphics, U. of
Zagreb, 1987. Draft article for Dr. Dobbs journal, 1992
Kenneth J. Duecker, Land resource
information system, Iowa Planning Land Use System, 1974
Thomas K. Peucker, article Geographic Data
Structures with N. Chrisman, The American Cartographer, 1975. Digital
representation of 3D surfaces, Office of naval research, 1976
14
Software and records
1989-2006
1989-2006
Odyssey note 1989 with sessions listings
printed, 1991
Digital chart of the World 1.0 and VPFView,
3,5” and 5,25” disks, ESRI, 1992
MapLink software, 3,5” disks, 1996.
CDROMS Video interviews Charting the
unknown, 2004-2006
15
Software and records
1986-2004
1986-2004
OSU MAP V2.0, PC 5,25” disk, Ohio State U.,
1987
VORONOI Demo, 5,25” disk
MAP II, Map Processor, Apple MAC 3,5” disks,
Wiley, 1989
MAP II, ThinkSpace Inc., 3,5” disk, 1992.
GISTutor, GIS World Inc., 3,5” disk, 1988.
Hrvoje Lukatela, letter with Auto-Carto 8
questionnaire, 5,25” disk, 1986
MICROCAM Demo, Mapping program,
MicroConsultants’, 5,25” disk, 1989
QTM Demonstration 3,5” disk, 1989.
Miscellaneous software copy on CDROM.
Harvard Lab interviews, 3 VHS tapes, ESRI,
2004
16
Files and Harvard papers n/a
n/a
Harvard Laboratory for Computer Graphics and
Spatial Analysis Internal reports, 1974-1977
G. Dutton and J. Cohen, The Laboratory: an
historical overview 1965-81, Harvard
G. Dutton, Current research at the
Laboratory for Computer Graphics and Spatial Analysis
17
Gray literature papers
1972-81
1972-81
Harvard Computer Graphics Week papers,
1981
Choosing and using charts, Gene Zelazny,
1972
Image understanding, proceedings of a
workshop, Palo Alto, 1979
Engineering the 80’s, computer graphics in
transportation, 1981
Course notes, Brian J.L. Berry, 1980.
18
Gray literature papers 2/2
1972-81
1972-81
An overview and output examples, A. Babin
and al., U. of Montreal, 1981
Why space is important, Rockwell
International, 1981
19-20
Harvard Computer Graphics Week 1982
1982
19-20
ODYSSEY 1976-1988
1976-1988
User’s manual, vol. I-II, Harvard, 1982.
User’s manual, vol. 1-3, Harvard, 1982.
Installation and testing guide, 1983.
Topological polygon cycling, 1978, rev.
1983
Files: Odyssey papers, index and notes,
1976-1980
Paul B. Wilson, H.E. Wilkinson, Getting
started with Odyssey, U. of Montana, 1988
Denis White, The ODYSSEY system for display
and analysis of geographic information, Harvard computer graphics week,
1979
Cyclops Odyssey topological polygon cycling
program, user’s reference manual, 1983
21
Set of microfiches
1981-83
1981-83
21
Gray literature papers and manuals
1975-86
1975-86
Harvard Laboratory for Computer Graphics and
Spatial Analysis, Harvard Graduate School of Design :
A report on the conversion of twelve urban
atlas files, 1975
Cartographic data structures, 1976.
DOT.MAP, user’s reference manual, 1978.
Ted Driscoll, SOLARE, a computer program for
automated modeling, 1978
Proceedings, vol. I-II, 1983
Dana Tomlin, An IBM PC-version of map
analysis package, 1983
Denis White, Issues in map digitizing,
1985
Geographic information systems on
microcomputers, 1986
22
Gray literature papers, files and manual
1969-78
1969-78
Donald S. Shepard, Thesis, A load-shifting
model to reduce exposure to air pollution caused by electric power
generation, Laboratory for Computer Graphics and Spatial Analysis, 1969.
Article: A two-dimensional interpolation function for computer mapping of
irregularly spaced data, 1969
Computer mapping as an aid in air pollution
studies, 1970
SYMAP manual, 1973, with two plastic
rulers
SYMAP reference manual, fifth ed. 1975, rev.
1977
Files: SYMAP/SYMVU test data
23
LARS Graphics, Landsat converted to Odyssey
chain file format. n/a
n/a
Harvard Laboratory for computer graphics and
spatial analysis, Calform manual, V.2.0, 1978
23
Charting the unknown, files, articles and notes
n/a
n/a
Charting the unknown, files, articles and
notes
Topology 1859-1967
Topological data structures, 1977.
Map analysis package data structure,
1986-87
Topological information systems, 1974.
Dot Map experiments, 1976-78
Networks analysis and software, 1979.
Geometric computation, 1989
Topology / algebraic, 1989
24
Charting the world files n/a
n/a
LCGSA contract ESRI, 2004-2006
ESRI contract, 2004
Film and video conversions, 2004.
Video transcripts
Blad drafts
Front matter
Preface
Permission paper work
11 chapters
Files: letters, articles and notes
collection
25
Files: letters, articles and notes
1972-1978
1972-1978
ARPA Network 1975-76
LUDA Geographic Information Retrieval and
Analysis System, 1974-78
CV Computer Vision 1974
JPL Jet Propulsion Laboratory 1974-77.
BZIS, GGIS Generalized Geographic
Information System, IBM 1974
GRDSR Geographically Referenced Data Storage
and Retrieval System 1972
ESRI Environmental Research Institute,
DIMECNV, sketchbook 1976
PILLAR, Canada 197?
Thomas C. Waugh, GIMMS Geographic
Information Manipulation and Mapping System, 1973?
Topo USGS, 1977-78
WDB II, 1972-74
26
Files : letters, articles and notes
1970-1975
1970-1975
CODES 1970-72
COMPUTERS 1968-75
DIME DOC Dual Independent Map Encoding
1971-75
CGIS Canada GIS 1975
NASA 1977-79
ASPO American Society of Planning Official,
1976-77
Wolf D. Rase, Subroutines for plotting
graduated symbol maps, EDV Report 1980. Copy
LBL Mapedit Fortran program users guide,
1974
IMGRID Information Manipulation System for
Grid cell data structures, 1976
CSIRO Australia 1971-73
MLIS Minnesota Land Management Information
System, 1978-82
David RHIND, Computer-aided cartography,
1976
Kansas, 1977?
EROS Data Center USGS, 1975
SMSA Standard Metropolitan Statistical
Areas, 1971-74
27
Files : letters, articles and notes
1972-1981
1972-1981
William Warntz, Distance in the man-made
environment, unpublished 1972
W.R. Tobler, 1975
Articles, 1975-81
GEOFIL 1974
NRIS Natural Resource Information System,
1973
28
Files : letters, articles and notes
1963-1981
1963-1981
Graphics 1977-80
Howard Fisher 1965-73
Landscape planning 1963-67
History of LCG Laboratory for Computer
Graphics, 1978-81
Eric D. Teicholz
Dennis Preher
Denis White
29
Files : letters, articles and notes
1975-1984
1975-1984
USGS, NMD – DLG, LUDA, 1975
Turmoil GSD LCG 1982-84
Odyssey 1978-79
30
Files : letters, articles and notes
1975-2004
1975-2004
Stray programs 1981-2004
Foreign contracts events Philippines – Iran,
1976
Various proposals 1975-82
Flaky: Odyssey 1981-82
Endicott House: Seminars 1977-80.
Graphic weeks 1979-82
GE Time sharing access
31
Files : letters, articles and notes
1976-1987
1976-1987
Vu Great Originals Odyssey
DMA – TASC Odyssey 1977-78
Odyssey – DMA
CIRCE 1977-81
SORSA International Segment-Oriented
Referencing System Association 1976-77
ODYSSEY documentation 1978
Historical code 1976-77
Denis White, Odyssey Computer Graphic Week
1979
WRR 1977-78
Scott MADRY 1983-87
32
Files : letters, articles and notes
1969-1980
1969-1980
Workshop Graphic Week 1979
Cyclops 1979
NUBS memory management module 1978.
Russel Seitz, Siberian fire as ‘nuclear
winter guide’, Nature vol.323, 1986
Voronoi polygons subroutine, 1977.
GBF program conversion DIME to ODYSSEY,
1980
Iran DIME, 1976
Urban Atlas development, 1974-75.
FLECS user’s manual, conversion program
1974-76
William A. Gates, 1977
Boston SMSA census (1939-1970) housing maps.
MacDonald Barr, 1984-86
NCGIA National Center for Geographic
Information Analysis, 1988
Rubber-sheet map transformation 1985-87.
G. Dutton, GG513 cartography 1984
Harvard Computer Graphics Week, 1979-83.
NSF Grant sponsorship, 1976
DIMEX 1977
LUTM – MIDI - SYMAP, 1977
Odyssey maps -1986
GIS 1975
University of Wisconsin, Senator Kasten
proposal, 1986
Lawrence D. Mann, University of Arizona,
1986
33
Files : letters, articles and notes
1973-1998
1973-1998
Alfonso Govela-Thomae, Mexico, 1982?
David M. Mark, Digitizing topography
Miscellaneous: notes, convert, census
1983-87
GBF conversion system for Brown University,
1977
Dot map program listing
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, geoecology
thematic maps 1980, Natural Landschaft 1982
Transparencies Odyssey
GBF Geographic Base Files 1973-.
Matrix processor 1976
Mapping, 1977-87
Cartogram proposal
CALYPSO 1976?
GIS surveys 1982-85
Bernard J. Niemann on Allan H. Schmidt,
1998
International conference on automation in
cartography, 1974
World maps – data
CUTUP program listing 1978
34
Files : letters, articles and notes
1974-1985
1974-1985
Little’s Creek
LUDA – Demo 1977
DOX 1974-76 programs listing
Historical files notes
Cartographic data bases
Counties maps (1790-1900)
Harvard – university of Bristol
correspondence, 1980-82
RDW – NSF, National Science Foundation
1978-79
Correspondence 1974-85
TDS final? 1979
Tutorials 1982
Calform 3.0 1981
Color shading 1982
Rat tails notes
35
Files : letters, articles and notes
1971-1982
1971-1982
Lisbon seminar, French and English papers,
1979
Multi. Var. Maps
Redistricting 1965-
INPOM Interactive Polygon Mapping Program,
1974
W.R. Franklin, 1980-82
Geoffrey H.Dutton, 1981
Geograf routines 1975
Geograf plans 1973
Inoperative
Geograf old ideas 1974
Geograf Dox
Modules Odyssey
Small answers 1979
Lab 1971-79
DIDS Domestic Information System 1979.
Odyssey Forest Service questionnaire 1979.
Union Pacific Odyssey package
TVA Tennessee Valley Authority stuff 1979.
36
Files : letters, articles and notes
1983-1989
1983-1989
Fundamental principles of GIS 1987
National Geographic Information and Analysis
Center 1983-87
DCLRP Dane County Land Record Project
1986-89
AAAG 1989
Auto-Carto London 1986-87
NOS – CGS 1984-87
Ground water DNR 1984
Mound study 1985-86
Slide – Graphics
Zipper 1986-87
90 Cartogram
NSF 1986
37
Files : letters, articles and notes
1983-1994
1983-1994
NSF National Science Foundation 1983-87.
Standards task force 1985-91
CITAS China In Time And Space 1993-94.
38
Files : letters, articles and notes
1973-1992
1973-1992
Roots 1987-88 with 3,5” and 5,25” disks.
Whirlpool statistics 1982
Hades code, NUBS, bugs 1977-91
Ferenc Csillag (Ferko C.) 1989-92.
Teklicon IBM 1973
Dates 1988-89
Roger Babson 1981
39
Files : letters, articles and notes
1963-1999
1963-1999
Correspondance 1973-92
GIS program 1997-99
History of Department, University of
Washington (Seattle) 1963-98
ACIO, A diagnostic test for categorical
maps, Maptest 1991
TAC reflections 1987-88
IGIS challenges 1987-88
ODYSSEY license 1983-84
The Odyssey of Homer, book
ODYSSEY programs and documentation 1990.
40
Files : letters, articles and notes
1979-1992
1979-1992
ODYSSEY 1983-92
ODYSSEY DOX 1979-85
Computer listings 1970-83
41
Computer listings
1970-83
1970-83