The Geodimeter (acronym of geodetic distance meter) was the first optical electronic distance meter surveying instrument.[1][2] It was originally developed for measuring the speed of light.[3][4] It was invented in 1947 by Erik Osten Bergstrand and commercialized in 1953 by the AGA (Aktiebolaget Gasaccumulator) company of Sweden.[5][6] It was used in the Transcontinental Traverse.
The Geodimeter business was acquired by SpectraPrecision which was acquired by Trimble Inc.[citation needed]