If people want to know where they are, they need a reliable clock. It might seem surprising, but knowing the accurate time is essential for determining position.
The Smithsonian exhibition, Time and Navigation: The Untold Story of Getting from Here to There, explored how revolutions in timekeeping over three centuries have influenced how people find their way. Among other things, the exhibit recounted the history of satellite navigation, including the invention of GPS and GPS applications.
The project was a unique collaboration between two of the Smithsonian's largest and most popular museums: the National Air and Space Museum and the National Museum of American History. The U.S. Department of Transportation, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and the National Coordination Office for Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing co-sponsored the exhibit along with several corporate contributors.
While the physical exhibit closed in 2018, its website remains online: Visit the exhibit website!