The hermeneutics of airphoto interpretation

This 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.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Geography

Department dc:contributor.department

Geography

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

1996

Author dc:creator

• Whittemore, Martin P.

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Toal, Gerard

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Kaufman, Burton
• Luke, Timothy W.

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Dc Identifier Other

etd-08222008-063134

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/44326