used by the photo interpreter must permit him to extract the in-
formation both efficiently and accurately."
In discussing the second of the above-listed considerations,
this reference made the following rather optimistic statement
which perhaps needs to be re-evaluated in light of developments
since it was written, nearly 20 years ago:
"Until recently there was a tendency to assume that one
person was as well suited to photo interpretation work
as another. Consequently, the selection process revolved
primarily around considerations as to the relative
availibility of two or more people to handle an additional
task, in this instance aerial photographic interpretation.
However, we are gradually coming to realize that the
differences between a good photo interpreter and a poor
one can be largely explained on the basis of (1) differences
in visual acuity (2) differences in mental acuity, and
(3) differences in general attitude toward the photo
interpretation task."
That article then traced seeming progress in each these three
areas, cited a very successful 11-phase aptitude test for
photograph users and announced the recent finding of "highly
significant correlations between the candidate's photo inter-
pretation abilities and his abilities in general mathematics,
mechanical principles, and arithmetic reasoning," and speculated
on the probable importance of "capacity for learning, adaptability,
and powers of judgement." It also included a sample test that
might be applied for determining a candidate's attitude toward
the photo interpretation task, and discussed recent improvements
in photo interpretation training methods, materials, and equipment.
In retrospect, we can see that progress has been much slower in
the 20 years since, particularly in implementing the various
findings and concepts referred to above, than had been antici-
pated. On the other hand, a rather cautious understatement was
made in that reference with respect to the future use of com-
puters. The statement simply cited their increased use by photo
interpreters "to make multiple correlation analyses, derive
multiple regression equations, and determine the statistical
reliability of various sizes of samples and methods of sampling."
Finally, that article of 20 years ago, in discussing recent
improvements in the methods and techniques of photo interpretation
cited (a) methods for orienting a stereo model beneath the
stereoscope; (b) methods for handling a large stack of photos
in an orderly manner during the photo interpretation process;
and (c) methods for avoiding duplication or omission in the
interpretation of areas common to two or more overlapping photo-
graphs. In retrospect we perceive that no significant break-
throughs in any of these mundane methods, common though they are
to virtually all kinds of photo interpretation, have been made
in the interim.
In looking to the future that article was quite correct in pre-
dicting that "for the first time, extremely small scale photo-
graphy taken with a photo reconnaissance satellite from an
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