Learning from history: why we should study old maps

The narrator's journey into cartography began unexpectedly during their Geography major when they took a required cartography course, which they discovered through an initial interest in environmental conservation. They pursued a unique academic path at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, integrating their Chilean heritage and Spanish linguistics major with geographic studies, eventually joining the Cartography & GIS program. Their thesis on historical map styles, focusing on pre-1900s techniques like woodblock, copper plate, and lithograph, significantly influenced their career, enabling them to work effectively in various roles, including at USAID and Mapbox, and to establish a brand at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The narrator emphasizes the importance of understanding diverse cultural perspectives in mapping, contrasting Eurocentric views with examples like Asian scroll maps. They also express a fondness for their "Burtonesque" map style, created with a unique Halloween-themed aesthetic inspired by Tim Burton's recognizable visual style.