Lost? Directionally challenged? Fear not! We’ve got your coordinates locked, loaded, and ready to navigate through the exciting world of GPS. Buckle up as we embark on a journey filled with 15 jaw-dropping, satellite-powered, mind-boggling facts that will have you saying, “I never knew that!” Get ready to have your internal compass recalibrated with these witty and engaging GPS tidbits. Let’s punch in those coordinates and hit the road!
1-5 Fun Facts About GPS
1. The United States military initially developed GPS after realizing the need for a global navigation system following the Cold War. They wanted a reliable way to navigate across the globe.
2. The concept of GPS was influenced by earlier navigation systems such as LORAN (Long Range Navigation) and the Decca Navigation System, which were utilized during World War II for long-range navigation by ships and planes.
3. In the late 1990s, BMW did recall the GPS system in its 5 Series vehicles due to some reports of male drivers being resistant to taking directions from the in-built female voice. The decision was made to address customer preferences.
4. Access to the highest-quality GPS signals was initially limited to military use, but in May 2000, the U.S. government allowed civilian access to those signals as well.
5. There have been instances of GPS signal spoofing in certain areas of Moscow, where fake signals have misled devices, causing location inaccuracies. This issue became more noticeable when people started playing location-based games like Pokemon Go.
6-10 Interesting Facts About GPS
6. Your GPS unit has trust issues! If it realizes it’s traveling at super-fast speeds of over 1200mph (1900kmph) and soaring at altitudes above 60,000ft (18,000m), it will freak out and automatically shut itself down, fearing it’s being used in some missile-like shenanigans.
7. GPS for civilian use wouldn’t be a thing if it weren’t for a major oopsie by a Korean airline that accidentally entered Soviet airspace and got shot down. To avoid such tragic incidents, President Ronald Reagan declassified some top-secret military technology, and voila, GPS was made available for the general public. It’s like turning a catastrophe into a blessing in disguise.
8. The U.S. government provides GPS service worldwide free of charge. However, the operation and maintenance of the GPS system do come with costs, which are primarily funded by U.S. taxpayers. The exact amount spent on GPS operations may vary, but it is a significant investment to keep the system functioning effectively.
9. Many individuals who own cars equipped with integrated GPS systems opt to use their smartphones for navigation purposes.
10. GPS used to have a mischievous side. It would intentionally introduce errors of up to 100 meters into navigation systems to throw off any attempts at weapon guidance.
11-15 Surprising Facts About GPS
11. In a mega acquisition move, Google bought the GPS app “Waze” back in 2013. The result? Each of the lucky 100 employees received an average of $1.2 million! It’s like hitting the jackpot with a GPS-themed lottery ticket.
12. If you have a GPS-capable camera and find yourself in China, don’t be surprised if the geotagging feature mysteriously disables itself. Apparently, there’s a Chinese law that frowns upon mapmaking and surveying without a license.
13. The utilization of GPS technology significantly impairs people’s ability to mentally create maps, process spatial data, and retain spatial memories.
14. The European Space Agency and the European Union are currently deploying an alternative to GPS known as “Galileo,” which boasts an accuracy level of 1 meter and includes a “Search and Rescue Service” capable of receiving distress signals from any location on Earth.
15. A man has invented a pair of shoes named “No Place Like Home” shoes, which incorporate a built-in GPS system that assists the wearer in finding their way home by simply clicking their heels together three times.
That’s it for this post guys, I hope you had fun while reading 15 Awesome Facts About GPS
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