The hermeneutics of airphoto interpretation

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dc.contributor.authorWhittemore, Martin P.en
dc.contributor.committeechairToal, Gerarden
dc.contributor.committeememberKaufman, Burtonen
dc.contributor.committeememberLuke, Timothy W.en
dc.contributor.departmentGeographyen
dc.date.accessioned2014-03-14T21:43:09Zen
dc.date.adate2008-08-22en
dc.date.available2014-03-14T21:43:09Zen
dc.date.issued1996en
dc.date.rdate2008-08-22en
dc.date.sdate2008-08-22en
dc.description.abstractThis thesis examines the cultural and political applications of aerial photography. The thesis emphasizes the historical development of aerial photography technologies and the incorporation of these systems into national policy. The Majority of the discussion details the U-2 reconnaissance program. There is an account of the evolution of the system under Eisenhower, explanation of its selection over other intelligence programs, development of photographic equipment, and the formation of a professional staff to analyze the U-2 imagery. This thesis analyses the use of U-2 imagery under Kennedy to precipitate and then monitor the resolution of the Cuban Missile Crisis. The analysis of the technologies and historical record utilizes a methodology defined as hermeneutical. Hermeneutics is the study of communication, or the exchange of knowledge accomplished through a text. The treatment of aerial photography as a text provides insight into the multiplicity of roles it played in national policy. Normative logic has knowledge emanating from photography, deciphered by science, and passed on to policymakers. There has been no concerted effort to integrate the politics and the science of aerial photography. This thesis challenges that discursive separation of science and politics. By examining the entire process, from flight planning to analysis to briefing of policymakers and finally, to the formation of policy, a different model of information exchange emerges. The science and politics of airphoto interpretation share a co-dependency where knowledge transfer is not a one-way street, but an interactive, co-dependent exchange.en
dc.description.degreeMaster of Scienceen
dc.format.extentv, 125 leavesen
dc.format.mediumBTDen
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen
dc.identifier.otheretd-08222008-063134en
dc.identifier.sourceurlhttp://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-08222008-063134/en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/44326en
dc.language.isoenen
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.relation.haspartLD5655.V855_1996.W458.pdfen
dc.relation.isformatofOCLC# 34992989en
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subject.lccLD5655.V855 1996.W458en
dc.titleThe hermeneutics of airphoto interpretationen
dc.typeThesisen
dc.type.dcmitypeTexten
thesis.degree.disciplineGeographyen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.levelmastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Scienceen

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