Chapter

The origins of "paper towns" on maps
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28:26 - 32:24 (03:58)

A "paper town" is a fake town created by map makers to protect their intellectual property. The town Agloe, New York started as a paper town but became a real town due to a strange coincidence involving a fishing lodge.

Clips
Cartographers used trap streets, fake streets placed intentionally in maps, to detect copyright infringement.
28:26 - 29:46 (01:20)
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Cartography
Summary

Cartographers used trap streets, fake streets placed intentionally in maps, to detect copyright infringement. These fictitious naming eventually evolved that led to the creation of fictional towns, restaurants, and businesses in maps.

Chapter
The origins of "paper towns" on maps
Episode
The History of Fake Towns.
Podcast
Stuff You Should Know
A fishing lodge in upstate New York unwittingly became the real-life paper town after a map publishing firm included a fake town name on their map that was later built in the same location.
29:46 - 32:24 (02:37)
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paper towns
Summary

A fishing lodge in upstate New York unwittingly became the real-life paper town after a map publishing firm included a fake town name on their map that was later built in the same location. The New York Times reported on the strange coincidence and some of the first guests at the lodge were from the publishing firm.

Chapter
The origins of "paper towns" on maps
Episode
The History of Fake Towns.
Podcast
Stuff You Should Know