MERMAID — A visionary entrepreneur has developed a new tool that may revolutionize local history and bring communities closer together. Through the use of a new app — developed by Lisa McDougall — users can see what stores used to be in a location.
By using a combination of public-domain maps, internet references, open-source geolocation tags, and cutting-edge enhanced reality technology, users will be able to open their camera on their smartphone, point at a building, and see what stores, restaurants, or other tenants used to be there.
This app will replace all [social interaction and research into local history], and it’s right in the palm of your hand!
Lisa McDougall, technical revolutionary
“This truly is bleeding edge,” says McDougall. “Before, if you walked by a building and wondered what was in there before, what could you do? If you didn’t remember, there was no way to figure it out.”
“Now, if users can download this app, scan a building, and find out a rich history of what business used to be there, going all the way back to the mid-90s.”
As a demonstration, McDougall pointed her smartphone at a local building. Within seconds, she could see that the building once contained a Zellers store.
“Just think how much easier this is! Before this app, the only way to learn about what happened before today would be to read a newspaper, a book, a journal, speak to someone, talk to a relative, research something on the internet, see it on the news, hear it on the radio, or have it come up in conversation with friends, family members, or complete strangers.”
“This app will replace all of that, and it’s right in the palm of your hand!”
Pending further testing, the app named “Histry” will be available to download in the third quarter of 2022.
The Islander 