News & Events

An exhibit on Peace and War as Visualized in Maps is currently on display in the IU Libraries' Government Information and Kent Cooper Services, located on the second floor of Herman B Wells Library. The exhibit aligns with the IU College of Arts and Sciences' Themester. 

Governments and the military have long been prominent players in mapping. Beginning in the late 18th century, governments in Europe and North America established national mapping agencies which started to produce large numbers of maps at different scales, mapping the national territory. The military likewise built efficient mapping institutions. In the 20th century, military mapping agencies often were the driving force behind innovations like large scale aerial mapping, the use of satellite data, and GPS. Conflicts, in particular World War II and the Cold War, infused resources into military mapping programs, fostered international standardization, and triggered  technological innovation. Maps featured include the UN Maps that Demarcate the Korean War Armistice Line, “Vidin” (Austro-Hungarian topographic sheet), World War I battle maps, Soviet Red Army maps, and the International Map of the World.

The exhibit was prepared by Lou Malcomb, Head of Government Information & Kent Cooper Services and Heiko Mühr, Special Collections Cataloger, Western European Cataloging Section.