Gerardus Mercator revolutionized mapmaking. He was almost executed
![Gerardus Mercator revolutionized mapmaking. He was almost executed](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KCCSk-7hipwyKo5Bw8k0Rdvd5qg=/0x89:1600x1289/1400x1400/filters:focal(0x89:1600x1289):format(jpeg)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45819118/mercatorportrait.0.0.jpg)
He changed maps forever, but in the 1500s, that could be a dangerous thing. This is how.
![](https://mercator.tass.com/assets/1/globe1.png)
Mercator. It's a flat, flat world!
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/72/Gerardus_Mercator_3.jpg/1200px-Gerardus_Mercator_3.jpg)
Mercator 1569 world map - Wikipedia
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/39/Himmelsglobus_Mercator_Detail.jpg/289px-Himmelsglobus_Mercator_Detail.jpg)
Gerardus Mercator - Wikipedia
![](https://mercator.tass.com/assets/1/atlas-russia.jpg)
Mercator. It's a flat, flat world!
![](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/gerard-mercator-prints-works-on-paper-rugen-island-germany-an-early-17th-century-map-by-mercato-for-sale/a_11732/a_113669521670485174045/4862_Mercator_Hondius_Nova_Famigerabilis_Insulae_Ac_Ducatus_Rugiae_Desciptio_Map_of_Rugen_Island_Germany__master.jpeg)
Gerard Mercator - Rugen Island, Germany: An Early 17th Century Map by Mercator and Hondius For Sale at 1stDibs
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Mercator_Chronologia_title_page_1569.jpg/330px-Mercator_Chronologia_title_page_1569.jpg)
Gerardus Mercator - Wikipedia
![](https://assets.isu.pub/document-structure/210906131711-a19c917138e58f49ad8f1f9890557745/v1/5d8711ad829db2a6db7451fae9524580.jpeg)
Maps of the World - Issuu
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/55/1595_Europa_Mercator.jpg/330px-1595_Europa_Mercator.jpg)
Gerardus Mercator - Wikipedia
![](https://arhicup.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Arhicup_020.jpg)
Exhibition - MAPPING THE BLACK SEA
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fc/Atlas3.jpg/200px-Atlas3.jpg)
Gerardus Mercator - Wikipedia
![](https://mercator.tass.com/assets/1/globe2.png)
Mercator. It's a flat, flat world!
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/56/Mercator_Septentrionalium_Terrarum_descriptio.jpg/200px-Mercator_Septentrionalium_Terrarum_descriptio.jpg)
Mercator 1569 world map - Wikipedia
![](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91SdKozUmFL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg)
Mercator: The Man Who Mapped the Planet: Crane, Nicholas: 9780805066241: : Books