The artifact I have chosen to discuss this week is Global Positioning System, or GPS. This is an important part of popular culture because it is beginning to shape the way we do things. GPS was first developed by the U.S. military and has now evolved into an everyday convenience for civilian Americans.
One of the most common uses for GPS is aid in navigation – like Garmin. These devices are often hooked to the windshield of one’s car and can show the driver his or her absolute location. Since a satellite detects the location of the car and the destination the driver enters, the mechanism simply has to use an automated voice command system to direct the driver to their final destination. The tool can even detect when the driver makes a wrong turn and recalculate the directions.
Another useful way GPS is changing our lives is through the tracking of criminals. Police can now use GPS devices to detect the absolute location of criminals and stolen property. This has had a huge impact on the solving of crimes. And since some cell phones have GPS systems investigators can now tell where suspects were located at the time of their phone calls.
Another use of GPS is for the location of children and animals. Parents can have their children carry a device with them that allows them to be located at any time. If a child is lost, the parent simply has to press a button and the mechanism will locate their child for them. This has saved many kidnapped and lost children. Also, pet owners can have a chip placed underneath their animal’s skin that can locate them if needed by the pet owner calling a hotline. No more posting handmade signs on neighborhood telephone poles for some pet owners!
Overall, GPS is an incredible technology that is changing our lives in so many ways. In fact, it has even saved some lives – children that may have bee in danger, pets that may have ended up getting hit by cars, etc., etc., etc.!
One of the most common uses for GPS is aid in navigation – like Garmin. These devices are often hooked to the windshield of one’s car and can show the driver his or her absolute location. Since a satellite detects the location of the car and the destination the driver enters, the mechanism simply has to use an automated voice command system to direct the driver to their final destination. The tool can even detect when the driver makes a wrong turn and recalculate the directions.
Another useful way GPS is changing our lives is through the tracking of criminals. Police can now use GPS devices to detect the absolute location of criminals and stolen property. This has had a huge impact on the solving of crimes. And since some cell phones have GPS systems investigators can now tell where suspects were located at the time of their phone calls.
Another use of GPS is for the location of children and animals. Parents can have their children carry a device with them that allows them to be located at any time. If a child is lost, the parent simply has to press a button and the mechanism will locate their child for them. This has saved many kidnapped and lost children. Also, pet owners can have a chip placed underneath their animal’s skin that can locate them if needed by the pet owner calling a hotline. No more posting handmade signs on neighborhood telephone poles for some pet owners!
Overall, GPS is an incredible technology that is changing our lives in so many ways. In fact, it has even saved some lives – children that may have bee in danger, pets that may have ended up getting hit by cars, etc., etc., etc.!
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