More fun with maps

March 30, 2005 3:46 PM

Lenticular printing to the nth degree Urban Mapping has made a very cool multi-dimensional map for lower Manhattan with more cities to come. Depending on how you hold it, you see a different map. via Transportation Communications newsletter
posted by agatha_magatha (18 comments total)

very cool idea.
posted by ParisParamus at 3:55 PM on March 30, 2005

Oh sweeet! Too bad it's expensive, but sweeet.
posted by orthogonality at 4:15 PM on March 30, 2005

I bought my SO one a couple of years ago. They're really awesome.
posted by bshort at 4:57 PM on March 30, 2005

Very cool, and the web implementation is slick too.
On a tangent, I thought it was interesting that the author uses 'she' as his generic pronoun.
posted by Wolfdog at 5:06 PM on March 30, 2005

Cool idea - I like these kind of "holographic" kinda things. Reminds me of these old transformers stickers I had.

I don't know what I think about using she as the generic pronoun. There's nothing wrong with it technically - our words are neuter - but "he" is such a convention that when I see she I immediately search for a reason why it should be that way.
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 5:48 PM on March 30, 2005

I believe this signals the end of the web and the rebirth of print.

Oh sweeet! Too bad it's expensive, but sweeet.

You get 4 maps in one for $18. That, my friend, is a deal.
posted by quadog at 6:02 PM on March 30, 2005

I'ma getting me one of them.
posted by papercake at 6:14 PM on March 30, 2005

Brilliant. The only issue with the map is that folding one is impossible without damaging it.
posted by Vaska at 6:55 PM on March 30, 2005

I wonder how many more layers you can fit into a map like this. Three seems to be the optimum.
posted by dhruva at 7:26 PM on March 30, 2005

I like it, has a kind of phillip k. dick futuristic feel about it; but in this day of gps enabled cells, pda's and google it may be a little quaint before its time.

I dunno, don't wanna poop on their parade; but give me real time updated data over print reference material anyday.
posted by canucklehead at 7:28 PM on March 30, 2005

That rocks. I want one for Chicago.
posted by SisterHavana at 7:45 PM on March 30, 2005

Like tourists aren't distracted enough already.
posted by HTuttle at 7:58 PM on March 30, 2005

They come with folds in them already. I can post a picture if it'd help.
posted by bshort at 8:27 PM on March 30, 2005

I love how NYU is marked as this tiny little area about the size of a subway station.
posted by TheOnlyCoolTim at 9:48 PM on March 30, 2005

This sounds great - but I can't find the "accompanying simulation" anywhere. Was the link removed from the article, or am I just missing something obvious?
posted by kanewai at 10:57 PM on March 30, 2005

Fine lenticular prints don't lend well to scratches, and considering these are maps, I'm wondering how well they travel.
posted by Down10 at 2:03 AM on March 31, 2005

Anyone remember a lenticular book that came out in the 80's?
every page was black and white, some distorted image,
and when you held the accompanying 2-level lenticular lens over the pages the contents shimmered and boiled.
can't for the life of me remember what is was called..
the illustrations were very stark, and really quite enjoyable with out the lens.. similar to german art from the 60's
posted by shipbreaker at 8:10 AM on March 31, 2005

i am SO getting one. I've been in NYC about every other week for a year now and i've never seen one of these (admittedly, i wasn't looking). Oh, happy day! This calls for the Dance of Joy!
posted by indiebass at 8:55 AM on March 31, 2005