From the Leica Geosystems Headquarters

I've been spending this week at the Leica Geosystems HQ in Heerbrugg, Switzerland.


It's been a great opportunity to learn more about the latest software (XPro) and hardware developments (the ADS80). However before getting to that, I wanted to show a few photos of some of the older gear that is on display here.

Here is a Kern PG 2 stereoplotter, which was in production between 1960 and 1985.

Here is a Wild B8 stereoplotter, in production between 1961 and 1972.

And finally, below you can see a Cyrax laser scanner alongside a Wild A-6 analogue stereoplotter (1940-1953).

The A-6 was used quite extensively in WWII (along with the A-5). For an interesting perspective on how photogrammetric hardware development was spurred on during war-time, check out the "The Sky Spies" at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. A colleague in Atlanta recently visited and has shared his photos here (thanks Ray!). It is interesting to see how much of the technology came out of Germany, the USA and Japan. In particular check out the last photo: a Japanese "motion picture camera gun"!