Welcome to this week's edition of the POB eNews ...

This week, I'm pleased to turn over my editor's note to Austin DeSain, of The Clayton Engineering Co., who has a fitting story for this holiday season:

The Clayton Engineering Co. in St. Louis, Mo., was officially formed in 1926, but the records, field books and a few original equipment items purchased from previous companies dating back to the early 1800s are still here.  

Last winter, as I was going through some old boxes on a shelf here, I found a wooden case labeled "C.L. Berger & Sons, Boston, Massachusetts." The transit-theodolite probably found its way onto our shelves nearly a century ago from a surveyor who'd been hired on the condition that he used his own equipment. This transit was last serviced on Nov. 14, 1931, by the Sprengnether Instrument Co. here in St. Louis. Shortly after that, it was replaced with the K&E style and eventually the Wild Heerbrugg T1, T2, T3, etc.  

I began asking around to land-surveying historians and museums trying to find out anything at all about this piece. Several private collectors and museums were helpful in trying to identify the specific model, although none could be quite sure. I received copies of the original sales brochures from more than one of these collectors, from which I was able to figure out the model by comparing the catalog drawings with the instrument sitting on my desk. It turned out to be a No. 11c Complete Transit-Theodolite, the model with four leveling screws that was listed on page 213 of the 1918 "Standard Instruments of Precision" catalog for a deal at only $300.  

I was quick to realize that most of the people I'd contacted wanted to actually have the instrument for their own collections. The idea was presented to our company board, and it seemed reasonable. After all, it would be on display here in our lobby if it stayed.  

The most interesting response I received was from the curator of the Physical Sciences Collection at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. The Smithsonian has a copy of the shop records for C.L. Berger & Sons and didn't hesitate to mail a copy of the original sales receipt for our exact model--matching serial number and all--before the end of the day. Among the scribbling on the original receipt, it's clearly stated "Inst. No. 14244, Transit No. 11 - Theodolite, to be shipped to Spregnether Inst. Co., St. Louis, Mo." - Jan. 30, 1923." This instrument was a perfect match for their collection of surveying and geodesy apparatus.   

After a few months of back and forth phone calls, e-mails and pictures, the transit was sent to Washington, D.C., for the nation's museum to take care of and display as they see fit. It's an honor for both The Clayton Engineering Co. and myself to have had the opportunity to present this small gift to the nation.     
                                                     - B. Austin DeSain

Editor's Note: The Smithsonian National Museum of American History Physical Sciences Collection Web site currently features a selection of more than 300 museum objects relating to surveying and geodesy. 

A roundup of this year's
Top 5 most-clicked-on feature articles, columns, surveying in the headlines, products and  news ...

Feature Articles:  

1. Web Exclusive: My Survey Truck 
2. In Review: Topcon Positioning Systems' GRS-1
3. Risky Exposure 
4. Mapping a Legacy
5. Web Exclusive: Surveying Shots 

Columns:    

1. Traversing the Law: Florida's illegal standards.
2. Traversing the law: Finding common ground.  
3. RTK Connection: Will GNSS networks replace GRS monuments?   
4. Back to Basics: Fieldwork tips.
5. Traversing the Law: Forensic Surveying.   

Surveying in the Headlines:  

1. Harker Heights home built on wrong piece of land  
2. Survey Could Shift Monroe-Bibb Line
3. Surveyors face punishment for elevation errors 
4. The Four Corners 
5. State lifts Pahrump surveyor's license

Industry News:    

1. Topcon Receivers Track L5 Signal 
2. Bureau of Land Management Conducting Interviews  
3. Topcon, Sokkia Create New Survey Business Unit for Americas
4. 233 Years in the Making - First American develops First U.S. Cadastral System
5. The GSA Issues Public Announcement on Nationwide Contract for BIM Services

Products:    

1. Topcon Announces GRS-1
2. Topcon's new laser scanner is affordable, perfect for field use
3. Topcon Pocket 3D software 'heart' of grade management system
4. Topcon 3.4 G3 Firmware Provides 'Next-Generation' Tracking Technology 
5. Leica Geosystems Introduces the Leica TS30 High Precision Robotic Total Station

Web Exclusives!

"Endless" Possibilities by Larry Trojak
Steve Hubertus, LS, of Hornell, N.Y.-based Stephen J. Hubertus Land Surveyor, and Jim Ball, owner of Wellsville, N.Y.-based James Ball Land Surveyor, have received a lot of business locating and mapping oil and gas wells in their area--but they didn't stop there.

Beating Burnout by Jon Gordon
There's no doubt about it. The past year or so has been a lean time for most companies. And while there's hope that the worst (economically speaking) might be behind us, we aren't out of the woods yet. The dark days of the recession have spawned a troubling new issue, one that could cripple organizations even as we head into recovery. The looming problem: A widespread loss of employee engagement.

Conference Recap: On the  Bleeding Edge by Christine L. Grahl
The Leica Geosystems HDS Worldwide User Conference in October highlighted the successes and challenges of firms that are pushing the envelope with laser scanning technology.

Pyramid Schemes by Ingrid Chapman
The orientation of significant buildings in ancient Egypt is a widely discussed and speculated upon topic. Measurements taken in modern times show an incredible similarity to the alignment of significant buildings, namely temples and pyramids, to true north.

What primary strategy is your firm implementing now to help ensure success in 2010?

• Investing in cutting-edge technology and training.
• Hiring new employees.
• Downsizing or "right-sizing" the workforce.
• Diversifying services or markets.
• Aggressively marketing the firm's capabilities.
• Creating partnerships with complementary firms.

Take a moment to vote at www.pobonline.com. 

FIG Releases Technical Program Draft for FIG Congress 2010 The organizers received more than 850 proposals for presentation from 80-plus countries. This includes more than 700 non peer review and more than 100 peer review papers. DeLorme Announces Trial Offer on Xmap 7 GIS Enterprise This thirty-day evaluation copy provides all of the features of the standard Enterprise software version and includes a sample of DeLorme's topographic base map data.  AirSage Partners with Dewberry for Next-Generation Emergency Management Solutions AirSage, Inc. and Dewberry have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on a new generation of products and services for the Emergency Management (EM) community including federal, state, local and private entities.  Scan to BIM Best Practices for Revamps Wouldn't it be great if you could just push the F5 key and your freshly captured point cloud would automatically generate a fully populated BIM model? Then you could start what you really wanted to do: check and resolve design clashes, exercise energy analysis codes to optimize power consumption (think LEED Platinum) and sequence construction operations so that MEP trades don't trip over themselves.  For the latest industry news, click HERE.

County employees win awards
For the first time in history, the County Engineers Association of California (CEAC) bestowed a new award, "County Surveyor of the Year," to Michael Emmons, the Public Works Department's Division Deputy Director who also serves as the chief County Surveyor.

State on pace for record number of new business filings
It took Russ Halvorson all of a week after he was laid off to decide to open his own business. A third-generation land surveyor, Halvorson lost his job last July. After a few days staring the bleak job market in the face, Halvorson decided to bypass the job search process and start his own land surveying company.

Missing Atlantan's car found in Chattanooga
Brian Wehrle, a 40-year-old land surveyor in Atlanta and owner of a farm two hours north, disappeared from his parents house in Carrollton Sept. 23 as floodwaters rose across North Georgia. He left behind money, his cell phone, medication and an overnight bag.

Family sacrificing home to get by | 12 days of caring
A land surveyor and his wife are willing to make sacrifices to get out of debt. But the economy just won't let them.

Danny Cahill wins title of Biggest Loser, $250,000
Danny Cahill, a land surveyor, took the title of Biggest Loser after dropping 239 pounds during the show's run on NBC this season, the eighth of "The Biggest Loser." He began 430 pounds and walked off 239 pounds lighter and $250,000 richer.

To read the latest Surveying in the Headlines, click here.

Joke of the Week: 'Twas the Day After Christmas

'Twas the day after Christmas, and all through the house,
Every creature was hurtin', even the mouse.  

The toys were all broken, their batteries dead;
Santa passed out, with some ice on his head.  

Wrapping and ribbons just covered the floor,
While upstairs the family continued to snore.  

And I in my T-shirt, new Reeboks and jeans,
I went into the kitchen and started to clean.  

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the sink to see what was the matter. ...

Click to read the rest of the account.

Problem of the Week: Surveying Coordinate Systems: Astronomical Coordinate Systems

Which astronomical coordinates are constantly changing and can readily be measured by a theodolite?

A. right ascension and declination
B. hour angle and declination
C. hour angle and parallactic angle
D. altitude and azimuth

Cool Link of the Week: NORAD Tracks Santa
Starting Christmas Eve, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) uses four high-tech systems to track Santa's progress around the globe: radar, satellites, Santa Cams and fighter jets. In the meantime, receive updates from the North Pole and discover new surprises in the Kids' Countdown Village.

Follow this link to access the rest of this week's Fun & Games.

Further your technical education and industry knowledge at the AEC Store.  

2009 Bestsellers:

Business Management Handbook for Land Surveyors - $65.00
This 150-page handbook provides guidance for land surveyors who are interested in starting or improving their own business. Follow this link for a complete description.

GPS for Land Surveyors, Third Edition - $89.85
This manual gives you all the tools to understand and use GPS techniques in everyday practice.This book teaches the basics of GPS technology, common hardware, surveying methods, survey design, planning and observation, and much more! Follow this link for a complete description.  

Lasting Impressions, A Glimpse Into the Legacy of Surveying
Lasting Impressions is a visually stunning compilation of fascinating stories and photos from surveyors, engineers, geocachers, history buffs and enthusiasts from across the country. Follow this link for a complete description.

The AEC Store offers more than 50 products specific to the Surveying Industry. Visit AECStore.com to view all of our products.

Eagle Point Announces New AutoCAD Civil 3D Add-ons for Surveyors
The Surveyor's Toolbox allows surveyors to comfortably and productively move to AutoCAD Civil 3D with simplified COGO routines and user interface.