From Ancient Maps to Digital Disasters

Ship Happens Podcast

This week, we’re doing something a little different! Selby & Hamish take us on a journey through the history of mapping—from the earliest clay tablets in Babylon to the interactive, real-time maps we rely on today. Maps have long been essential for exploration and navigation, evolving from ancient tools to complex digital systems in our pockets.

But what happens when modern digital maps go wrong? We dig into some of the most infamous mapping blunders, like Apple Maps’ launch fiasco, Google Maps’ border dispute between Nicaragua and Costa Rica, and the dangerous misdirections in Death Valley. We also touch on how mapping errors have impacted self-driving cars, leading to unexpected risks on the road, and even how an entire country—the Maldives—briefly vanished from Google Maps.

Join us as we explore the highs and lows of mapping, from ancient wisdom to modern mishaps that reveal the power—and pitfalls—of today’s digital navigation.