Despite the overwhelming advancements in technology and the widespread reliance on GPS for navigation, there remains a steadfast group of individuals who prefer the tactile experience of traditional paper maps.
Take Stephanie Kivett Ohnegian, for instance, who resides in Northern New Jersey. She maintains a well-worn atlas in her car at all times. Stephanie firmly believes that while GPS can be immensely helpful, there are still areas where the satellite signal falters, leaving drivers without guidance. Additionally, she often finds herself frustrated by the sometimes illogical routing suggested by GPS, leading her to trust the greater reliability of her trusty atlas.
Meanwhile, in the vibrant city of Portland, Oregon, Kimberly Davis has prepared for emergencies by including paper maps in her earthquake “go bag.” Understanding the potential chaos that could follow a natural disaster, she wants to ensure that she has a reliable means of navigation when technology might fail.
On the sunny streets of Newport Beach, California, Christine McCullough has her own practical reasons for holding onto an assortment of the once-popular, thick, spiral-bound Thomas Guides in her vehicle. As her children gear up to take their driving tests, she has established a simple yet firm rule: “no phones allowed.” By insisting they rely solely on traditional maps, she hopes to cultivate their navigation skills and deepen their understanding of the roads they will traverse.
These examples illustrate the enduring value that paper maps hold for many, even in an era dominated by digital navigation tools.
Paper Maps Are Still Very Popular For Travellers
The question of whether paper maps remain relevant and available for purchase is exemplified by the inquiry of retired New York marketing executive Michael Lissauer. This inquiry encapsulates the modern reliance on digital navigation tools, such as smartphones and GPS devices.
Contrary to the perception that paper maps are obsolete, there is a significant resurgence in their sales. According to data from NPD BookScan, the U.S. market for travel maps and atlases has experienced a remarkable five-year compound annual growth rate of 10%. To contextualize this growth, it is noteworthy that in 2019 alone, the category recorded sales of 666,000 units, representing a 7% increase from the previous year.
Tony Rodono, the owner of The Map Shop, a retail establishment in Charlotte, North Carolina, has observed this trend firsthand. He remarks, “We have operated our retail location for approximately 30 years, and on a daily basis, I encounter customers who express disbelief, inquiring, ‘How can you remain in business?’”
The Map Shop is not only thriving but also expanding its operations by relocating to a larger facility. This strategic decision is partially driven by the intention to develop innovative three-dimensional “raised relief maps.” These maps are produced through a vacuum-forming process over a mold, providing users with a more tactile and visually engaging representation of an area’s topography.
Interestingly, Rodono notes that some of the shop’s older clientele exhibit skepticism toward GPS technology. He characterizes them as individuals who keep a flip phone alongside a traditional map in their glove compartments, viewing the latter as a reliable backup for emergencies. However, he observes a distinct decline in the number of customers fitting this description, indicating a shift in navigational preferences among younger generations.
Paper Maps Does Not Need a Battery
Kendra Ensor, who serves as the vice president of marketing at Rand McNally in Chicago, has noted an interesting trend over the past five years: a significant increase in the sales of Road Atlases. According to Ensor, one of the main advantages of using a printed atlas is its simplicity and reliability; it “doesn’t require batteries, a satellite, or a cell phone signal,” making it a dependable resource in areas where technology may fail.
Many individuals who engaged with USA TODAY on social media echoed this sentiment, with several citing concerns over the reliability of digital navigation tools. The fear of encountering dead batteries or experiencing poor coverage, particularly in remote locations, has led numerous travelers to revert to traditional paper maps.
Travel photographer and writer Barb Gonzalez, who resides in Bend, Oregon, shared her own firsthand experience from a trip to Nebraska last year. “When we faced significant flooding during our travels, having a paper map would have been invaluable,” she explained. “Both Apple and Google Maps directed us toward a flooded road, which highlighted the potential pitfalls of relying solely on digital navigation.”
Beyond practical reasons, there exists a rich tapestry of motivations behind the continued popularity of printed maps. Some individuals collect them for historical or scholarly purposes, curating unique collections that tell stories of geographical changes over time. Others appreciate maps as artistic displays that capture the beauty of cartographic design. Additionally, many people have an unintentional collection of maps resulting from recent travels, serving as mementos that bring back memories of their adventures. These varied reasons underscore the enduring value and appeal of printed maps in our increasingly digital world.
“All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveller is unaware”.
Paper Maps Protect Your Privacy
Concerns about privacy have led many individuals to seek alternatives to digital navigation tools, and one notable option is the traditional paper map. Unlike their digital counterparts, paper maps do not have the capability to track users’ movements or collect data on their locations, providing a sense of anonymity and security.
In contrast, Apple has made privacy a cornerstone of its latest version of Apple Maps. The company has highlighted that users do not need to sign in to access the app, effectively eliminating the need for personal account information. Moreover, any data gathered during the use of Apple Maps—such as search queries, navigation routes, and traffic updates—are anonymized through the use of random identifiers. This approach is designed to protect user information while still providing functional navigation services.
On the other hand, Google Maps continually tracks users’ movements as part of its navigation services. This tracking is integrated into Google’s controversial opt-in Location History feature, which logs users’ whereabouts and activities. For those who prioritize their privacy, Google offers an Incognito Mode. Activating this feature prevents Google Maps from saving any search queries or navigation histories to the user’s Google Account. However, it’s important to note that while this mode enhances user privacy, it comes at the expense of personalized features such as tailored restaurant recommendations and real-time traffic updates, which rely on collected data to function effectively.
Use Them To Plan Your Route For Travel
There’s something uniquely captivating about the act of unfolding a map and laying it flat on a table. This experience engages both the senses and the mind in a way that feels immediate and tangible. When you spread out a map, you grasp not only the breadth and layout of the geography before you but also an expansive perspective that’s often elusive when you’re fixated on a small screen. Unlike a digital device that may offer directions in bite-sized snippets, a paper map provides a comprehensive view, allowing you to absorb the journey’s scope in one glance—inviting you to appreciate the sprawling landscapes, winding roads, and distant destinations in their entirety.
As you trace your finger along the lines and shapes on the map, you might find yourself marking points of interest or potential stops along your route. Each notation can be a signpost to adventure, perhaps indicating places you’ve researched with excitement for an upcoming trip, or it could represent an idealized journey yet to unfold—merely a dream that exists in the folds of the paper. For many, maps evoke nostalgia and serve as vessels of memory, rekindling the joys of travels past or the essence of places that once held significance. They may remind you of the charming streets of a hometown, a beloved vacation spot, or even the ancestral roots of your family—a map subtly bridging the past with the present.
In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, where technology often reigns supreme, the tactile, physical nature of paper maps brings an anchor of permanence that feels increasingly rare. While it’s true that roads, streets, and routes can shift and change, resulting in maps that may not always reflect real-time alterations, they still hold a distinct value. Printed maps transcend mere navigation; they serve as records of our journeys, engaging our imaginations with stories of where we’ve been just as much as they guide us toward where we hope to go. Each crease, stain, or ink mark tells a tale, weaving a rich tapestry of exploration and connection within the fabric of our lives.
