How GPS Was First Built as a Military Tool

An illustrated inventions story from Wonder Inventions — free to read, with narration.

How GPS Was First Built as a Military Tool — an illustrated inventions story. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Inventions.

How GPS Was First Built as a Military Tool — book cover — Wonder Inventions
How GPS Was First Built as a Military Tool — an illustrated inventions story. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Inventions.

Page 1

Zaire bounced a basketball in the driveway, his eyes scanning the sky. His mom called from the porch, "Zaire, dinner's ready!
Zaire bounced a basketball in the driveway, his eyes scanning the sky. His mom called from the porch, "Zaire, dinner's ready! And your Auntie Anika wants to show you something cool." Zaire dribbled the ball one last time and rushed inside, wondering what his aunt, a retired engineer, had up her sleeve.

Zaire bounced a basketball in the driveway, his eyes scanning the sky. His mom called from the porch, "Zaire, dinner's ready! And your Auntie Anika wants to show you something cool." Zaire dribbled the ball one last time and rushed inside, wondering what his aunt, a retired engineer, had up her sleeve.

Page 2

Inside, Anika held up her smartphone. "Imagine trying to find your way without this, Zaire!" she exclaimed. "How did people navigate, or coordinate anything?"…
Inside, Anika held up her smartphone. "Imagine trying to find your way without this, Zaire!" she exclaimed. "How did people navigate, or coordinate anything?" Zaire furrowed his brow. "I don't know. It seems impossible!" He grabbed his worn leather notebook and raced to his room, where a large, glowing book sat on his science-themed shelf: The Invention Encyclopedia.

Inside, Anika held up her smartphone. "Imagine trying to find your way without this, Zaire!" she exclaimed. "How did people navigate, or coordinate anything?" Zaire furrowed his brow. "I don't know. It seems impossible!" He grabbed his worn leather notebook and raced to his room, where a large, glowing book sat on his science-themed shelf: The Invention Encyclopedia.

Page 3

As Zaire opened the Encyclopedia, the room dissolved into swirling colors. "Whoa!" he shouted. The book landed open on a page detailing the creation of the…
As Zaire opened the Encyclopedia, the room dissolved into swirling colors. "Whoa!" he shouted. The book landed open on a page detailing the creation of the Global Positioning System. "GPS...first for military use?" he wondered aloud, right before a bright flash transported him away.

As Zaire opened the Encyclopedia, the room dissolved into swirling colors. "Whoa!" he shouted. The book landed open on a page detailing the creation of the Global Positioning System. "GPS...first for military use?" he wondered aloud, right before a bright flash transported him away.

Page 4

He landed in a dusty office, filled with maps and radio equipment. A man in uniform looked up, startled. "Who are you, son?" he asked. "I'm Zaire!
He landed in a dusty office, filled with maps and radio equipment. A man in uniform looked up, startled. "Who are you, son?" he asked. "I'm Zaire! Where am I?" The man, a stern-looking officer, replied, "You're at the Applied Physics Laboratory in Maryland, 1973. I'm Dr. Ivan Getting, and we're working on something called Transit."

He landed in a dusty office, filled with maps and radio equipment. A man in uniform looked up, startled. "Who are you, son?" he asked. "I'm Zaire! Where am I?" The man, a stern-looking officer, replied, "You're at the Applied Physics Laboratory in Maryland, 1973. I'm Dr. Ivan Getting, and we're working on something called Transit."

Page 5

"Transit?" Zaire asked. Dr. Getting explained, "It's a satellite navigation system for the Navy. We need to know exactly where our submarines are, especially…
"Transit?" Zaire asked. Dr. Getting explained, "It's a satellite navigation system for the Navy. We need to know exactly where our submarines are, especially those carrying nuclear missiles. It's all about deterrence, young man. We need to show our strength to prevent conflict." He gestured to a complex diagram, "Each satellite pass gives us a fix, but it's not continuous. It's like what Sun Tzu said: 'Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory.

"Transit?" Zaire asked. Dr. Getting explained, "It's a satellite navigation system for the Navy. We need to know exactly where our submarines are, especially those carrying nuclear missiles. It's all about deterrence, young man. We need to show our strength to prevent conflict." He gestured to a complex diagram, "Each satellite pass gives us a fix, but it's not continuous. It's like what Sun Tzu said: 'Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat'. We have the tactics, but we need better strategy."

Page 6

Another officer, Roger Easton, joined them. "Ivan, I've been thinking about using atomic clocks in the satellites. Precise timing is key!" Zaire's eyes widened.
Another officer, Roger Easton, joined them. "Ivan, I've been thinking about using atomic clocks in the satellites. Precise timing is key!" Zaire's eyes widened. "Atomic clocks in space?" Easton smiled. "Yes! If we know the precise time and the satellite's location, we can calculate the receiver's position on Earth with incredible accuracy."

Another officer, Roger Easton, joined them. "Ivan, I've been thinking about using atomic clocks in the satellites. Precise timing is key!" Zaire's eyes widened. "Atomic clocks in space?" Easton smiled. "Yes! If we know the precise time and the satellite's location, we can calculate the receiver's position on Earth with incredible accuracy."

Page 7

Dr. Getting nodded. "Roger's right. It's a bold idea, but it could revolutionize navigation. And with the Air Force also needing accurate positioning, we could…
Dr. Getting nodded. "Roger's right. It's a bold idea, but it could revolutionize navigation. And with the Air Force also needing accurate positioning, we could create a truly global system! By 1978, we'll have launched the first GPS test satellite!" Zaire scribbled furiously in his notebook. "So, Transit was the start, but GPS was the real goal!" he exclaimed.

Dr. Getting nodded. "Roger's right. It's a bold idea, but it could revolutionize navigation. And with the Air Force also needing accurate positioning, we could create a truly global system! By 1978, we'll have launched the first GPS test satellite!" Zaire scribbled furiously in his notebook. "So, Transit was the start, but GPS was the real goal!" he exclaimed.

Page 8

Years flew by in a blur. Zaire saw satellites being launched and watched engineers refine the system. He learned about the 24 satellites needed for full global…
Years flew by in a blur. Zaire saw satellites being launched and watched engineers refine the system. He learned about the 24 satellites needed for full global coverage, and how the system became fully operational in 1995, costing the US government over 12 billion. He realized the impact was much greater than just military use. "Wow," Zaire whispered. "It took so much effort and money!"

Years flew by in a blur. Zaire saw satellites being launched and watched engineers refine the system. He learned about the 24 satellites needed for full global coverage, and how the system became fully operational in 1995, costing the US government over 12 billion. He realized the impact was much greater than just military use. "Wow," Zaire whispered. "It took so much effort and money!"

Page 9

Suddenly, the swirling colors reappeared. Zaire found himself back in his room. He closed the Encyclopedia, the image of the GPS satellites burned in his mind.
Suddenly, the swirling colors reappeared. Zaire found himself back in his room. He closed the Encyclopedia, the image of the GPS satellites burned in his mind. He thought back to Anika's smartphone. Now he understood: GPS wasn't just a tool; it was a testament to human ingenuity and perseverance. "It started as a military tool, but now it helps everyone!" he said to himself.

Suddenly, the swirling colors reappeared. Zaire found himself back in his room. He closed the Encyclopedia, the image of the GPS satellites burned in his mind. He thought back to Anika's smartphone. Now he understood: GPS wasn't just a tool; it was a testament to human ingenuity and perseverance. "It started as a military tool, but now it helps everyone!" he said to himself.

Page 10

Zaire raced back to the living room. "Anika! Did you know the GPS system started as a military project? It cost billions to build!
Zaire raced back to the living room. "Anika! Did you know the GPS system started as a military project? It cost billions to build! Now, you can order pizza from anywhere!" Anika smiled. "That's right, Zaire. And today, the GPS industry generates over 40 billion per year!" Zaire grinned. "I can't wait to see what invention I'll learn about next!"

Zaire raced back to the living room. "Anika! Did you know the GPS system started as a military project? It cost billions to build! Now, you can order pizza from anywhere!" Anika smiled. "That's right, Zaire. And today, the GPS industry generates over 40 billion per year!" Zaire grinned. "I can't wait to see what invention I'll learn about next!"

About this story

  • Audience: kids (ages 6–12)

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