MapQuest is a free Web Map Server, owned by AOL. The map creation software was originally developed by GeoSystems to generate maps for customers. That code was adapted for use on the internet to create the web service. Later the company was renamed to MapQuest to leverage the brand popularity.
MapQuest helps people find places. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado and Mountville, Pennsylvania, MapQuest offers Internet, Mobile, Business Solutions, and Published products worldwide. MapQuest.com, both the top mapping and directories site on the Web according to comScore Media Metrix, served over 41 million users in April 2005.
MapQuest also empowers more than 1,400 businesses with software solutions to location-enable Web and wireless applications, and is a leading publisher and provider of mapping content for other publishers and corporations, producing more than 1.5 billion pages of printed maps every year. MapQuest is a wholly owned subsidiary of America Online, Inc.
MapQuest Leadership
Tommy McGloin,Senior Vice President
MapQuest History
1967
Founded as the Cartographic Services division of R.R. Donnelley & Sons in Chicago. Produced printed road maps for free distribution at gas stations.
1969
Moved to Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
1971
Started our 30 year plus relationship with the world’s largest hotel chain, Best Western, and to this day continue to provide their hotel directory publication.
1974
Started creating quality mapping content for academic, travel and reference publishers.
1976
Created the first maps ever published in a telephone directory for NYNEX.
Late 1980s
First applications in textbook and directory mapping, and Apple MacIntosh work stations. Also started delivery of computer files.
1993
Built computerized TripTik system for the American Automobile Association (AAA).
1994
Established as an independent company, GeoSystems Global Corporation, owned by R.R. Donnelley & Sons, Venture Capitalists, and Management.
1995
Opened an office in Denver, Colorado.
1996
February 5: launched www.MapQuest.com website.
1999
GeoSystems Global Corporation changes company name to MapQuest.com, Inc. and completes an IPO.
2000
June: America Online, Inc. acquires MapQuest.com, Inc.
2003
MapQuest launches its first mass market cell phone subscription service, MapQuest Mobile.
2005
MapQuest launches two additional cell phone subscription services, MapQuest Traffic and MapQuest Find Me.
MapQuest Services
MapQuest provides street level maps and driving directions for the following countries:
- United States
- Canada
- Austria
- Belgium
- Denmark
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Luxembourg
- Netherlands
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
A MapQuest-branded Yellow Pages service is provided by AOL. Other services include a world atlas, and MapQuest Mobile.
MapQuest Mobile is a service providing maps and driving directions to any Web-enabled Mobile phone or Personal Digital Assistant. MSN, Yahoo! and Google have competing services such as Google Maps, MSN Maps and Yahoo! Maps.
