The total station is currently one of the most important pieces of equipment that a civil engineer or surveyor uses. The surveying equipment industry is thriving, and there are many places online and stores that offer land-surveying equipment for sale. Before total stations, humans tried to find ways to measure long distances using tools and math. In this post, we will briefly discuss three predecessors of the modern total station.
The Dioptra
The Dioptra was invented by Hero of Alexandria in the 3rd century BCE, according to The Forgotten Revolution: How Science Was Born in 300 BC and Why It Had to Be Reborn by Lucio Russo (100). Hero created the Dioptra as a surveying device, mainly to be used for astronomical measurements. However, it was also used for surveying the land before construction. The Dioptra was created by attaching a rod to a stand. The rod had a sight at both ends, and once it was fitted with a device like a protractor, it could be used to measure precise angles. Even by modern standards, it’s still an excellent tool for measuring.
Gunter’s Chain
Gunter’s chain, or surveyor’s chain, was invented by a man named Edmund Gunter, as stated in The Practical Surveyor by Thomas Holloway (4). By modern standards, the chain is a simple concept. Each link is a certain measurement, and the chain contains one-hundred links. At the time of its invention, Gunter’s chain was considered revolutionary in the surveying industry, and Holloway even states that it is “… the surveyor’s most complete and original instrument: not a word too much can be said in its favor.” (4). For the time period, this is a fair statement. With Gunter’s chain, measuring distance was made easier, and the math involved was simpler.
The Theodolite
The theodolite is the piece of survey equipment that resembles a total station the most. A theodolite is mounted on a tripod, and there is a telescope within the theodolite. The operator looks through the telescope and adjusts the theodolite until the point of measurement is in sight. Modern total stations are direct descendants of the theodolite.
Advancement
Measuring distance and angles has been a priority for humans since ancient times, and there are still advancements in land surveying equipment for sale today. Some companies still use tape measures to measure distances, especially if the distance is short, but many companies are choosing to buy robotic total stations to save time and money on larger projects. Give them a call at 800-359-3703 or visit for more information.
