1904
First Navigation Systems
As passenger vehicles grew in popularity, people needed places to go – and instructions on how to get there. In 1904, Rand McNally published the first automobile map covering the New York City region. By 1910, road maps were commonly given away for free as advertising. By 1926, the numbered highway system was adopted throughout US – making maps easier to follow.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, multiple companies claim to have created the first in car navigation system. However, it was not until 2000 that the United States made a more accurate GPS signal available for civilian use. By 2003, navigation devices begin to be commonplace in vehicles – helping to usher in the age of “infotainment” systems such as Cadillac CUE and Chevy MyLink.