How we saw it: Interpreting Earth from Air and Space
In February 1956, at the age of 31, J.D. (Jack) Mollard started his namesake engineering and geology consulting company in Regina. Jack passed away in September 2017 at the age of 93. To celebrate 60 successful years in business, the company started preparing How We Saw It in 2016. Dr. Mollard contributed immensely to the contents of the book during his last years but, unfortunately, did not live to see the final publication.
The initial chapters recount Jack’s personal history and the early years of J.D. Mollard and Associates Limited (JDMA). The book tells of his years growing up during the depression on a farm near Watrous, SK, his school years, graduate work in the United States followed by his early work with the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration.
In the late 1940s and early 1950s, Jack became skilled in stereoscopic air photo interpretation, which was quite new at the time.
Through his company and initiative, he introduced this skill to Canadian engineering practice and demonstrated its applicationin a wide variety of engineering and geological projects.
The book explores how Jack and his staff applied their knowledge and experience to terrain analysis, water resources, linear routing studies and aggregate exploration, with examples of projects that demonstrate the application of this skill and technology. The last chapter further describes new technologies adopted by JDMA over the years: satellite imagery, geophysical surveys, ground-penetrating radar, GIS, 3-D modelling, LiDAR, and UAVs (drones).
The book is written by Edward Willet and benefited immensely from Dr. Mollard’s written notes and recollections, and from contributions by JDMA staff. The book was designed and produced by Catharine Bradbury.