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Kieran Kelly said:

> 2) Given the scientific achievements of these two -"A Geordie and a
baker's boy in the > forests of the Iroquois" as Mark Knoffler says in his
song "Sailing to Philadelphia" - > why aren't their  achievements more
celebrated in the USA.

I haven't read "Drawing the Line", but I did want
to add my thoughts on why Lewis & Clark are more
famous than Mason & Dixon.  My comments have more
to do with US history and national character
than with the art and science of position-finding.

In the national conciousness of the US:
* Surveying is boring.  The technical details
   and difficulty quotient are boring geek-speak
* Pennsylvania is boring (despite its vibrant history)
* As Fred Hebard said, Mason & Dixon did what
   they did with very little fanfare or media
   attention at the time.  Probably because,
   even then, both surveying and Pennsylvania were
   considered boring (debate over religious freedom
   and freedome of settlement notwithstanding).
   Also because of the lack of a national news media.
   Or a nation, for that matter.
* Lewis & Clark were explorers -- not boring.
* Lewis & Clark travelled a long distance,
   through terra incognita, which turned out
   to be varied and exciting terrain
* Lewis & Clark brought back records of exotic
   cultures and languages, as well as records and
   samples of exotic terrains, flora, and even vegetables.
* The news media could distribute stories much more
   widely and cheaply in the time of Lewis & Clark.
* Lewis & Clark were part of the "opening of the West".
   This is still a defining feature of US history and
   national conciousness and character, perhaps still
   THE most important.  The US still sees itself
   as a nation of explorers and pioneers, and attracts
   immigrants who want to be a part of and continue
   that national character.

Renee

   

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