Waldo Tobler

American geographer

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July 16, 2026

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Waldo Tobler was an American geographer known for his pioneering work in computerized cartography. In 1959, he developed the MIMO ("map in–map out") system, which allowed maps to be converted into a computer-usable format, manipulated, and then used to produce a new map as output. This innovation was a crucial step in the development of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Tobler's work laid the groundwork for systems that could process and analyze spatial data, transforming how geographical information is handled and visualized.1

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By 1959 the American geographer Waldo Tobler had developed a simple model to harness the computer for cartography. His MIMO (“map in–map out”) system made it possible to convert maps into a computer-usable form, manipulate the files, and produce a new map as the output. This innovation and its earliest…
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By 1959 the American geographer Waldo Tobler had developed a simple model to harness the computer for cartography. His MIMO (“map in–map out”) system made it possible to convert maps into a computer-usable form, manipulate the files, and produce a new map as the output. This innovation and its earliest…
Read More