On November 21 (Monday), Google dedicated a doodle to one of the biggest names in cartography. Marie Tharp, the American geologist and oceanographic cartographer, created some of the most groundbreaking maps that went on to change the perceptions of people about the world.
Tharp’s phenomenal work led to the Library of Congress declaring her as one of the greatest cartographers of the 20th century on November 21, 1988.
Tharp began her career in the early 1950s when much of the land was already mapped, however, the ocean continued to be a mystery. Tharp is credited with creating the first scientific map of the Atlantic Ocean floor.
Google’s latest doodle is an interesting and interactive way of understanding the life and contribution of the legendary cartographer. The audio-visual doodle has been narrated by Caitlyn Larsen, Dr Tiara Moore and Rebecca Nesel. The doodle offers a colourful glimpse at the life of Tharp with some creative illustrations.
New Google Doodle has been released: “Celebrating Marie Tharp” :)#google #doodle #designhttps://t.co/CeOQA0FfS9 https://t.co/mKyLlqhnRM
— Google Doodles EN (@Doodle123_EN) 1668960913000
Tharp was born on July 30, 1920, Ypsilanti in Michigan, US. Her father worked at the US Department of Agriculture and was instrumental in introducing mapmaking to young Tharp. She earned a master’s degree in petroleum geology from the University of Michigan. In 1948, Tharp became the first woman to work at the Lamont Geological Observatory.
“I had a blank canvas to fill with extraordinary possibilities, a fascinating jigsaw puzzle to piece together. It was a once-in-a-lifetime – a once-in-the-history-of-the-world-opportunity for anyone, but especially for a woman in the 1940s,” read the quote by Marie Tharp on Google’s interactive doodle.
