Love it or hate it, you can’t deny that Google Earth can provide a whole lot of entertainment, from Where’s Waldo hunts to spotting swimming pools, to "borrow".
This collection of images includes some of the strangest locations revealed by Google Earth, from the deliberate (such as the brand placing) to the unexpected, like pet dolphins.
Happy Magic Rainbow Unicorn
One of the first ‘stars’ of Google Earth, this painting was discovered on the roof of a farm building in Indiana.
Siegfried & Roy’s Magic Dolphin
This dolphin was picture in Siegfried and Roy’s Secret Garden at the Mirage hotel in Las Vegas. It makes me furious - if they think it is ok to keep a dolphin as a "pet," then I wish the lion had eaten him (sorry for not being more impartial).
Fcuk Farmer
Who needs crop circles when a good old British farmer can deliver this innovative approach at a local airport?
Iconic Hollywood Imagery
A truly unique view of the Hollywood White letters - I think the shading is amazing.
Swastika Influenced Design
A great example of when Google Earth throws up the unexpected. The satellite images revealed this 1960’s US Navy building on Coronado island, San Diego, in the shape of a swastika. At the time of construction, people were blissfully unaware that the World would one day see something only experienced by a few pilots at the time, but people did notice, and they are now being forced to spend $600,000 on new structures and extra greenery to change the shape.
Capsized Cruise Liner
The result of Typhoon Maemi in 2003, this is what happens to a cruise liner in high winds. In this case, a cruise liner turned into a hotel, but still impressive none the less.
John Travolta’s Airport / Home
His love of aviation is no secret, but the sheer scale of Travolta's airport is crazy, and one of the few private airports in the world.
Brand Logos
It was only a matter of time before people caught onto this trend. Coca-Cola used 70,000 empty coke bottles for their logo on a hillside in Chile. To me just is just an extension of the advertising you see near airports, but it is still pretty impressive.
Googleplex
What better place to end than the Googleplex from above? I think we should demand they make it more interesting on Google Earth. The Microsoft HQ seen looks so much more interesting. Click here to view.
Topless Sunbather
Just one of many topless sunbather photographs going around the web. Many more to be seen online.
Burning Oil Fields
Oil fields burning, south of Basra in Iraq. A really strong image that gives you an idea of scale.
Unexpected Aerial Art
10 Google Earth Discoveries
Trend Themes
1. Aerial Art - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore the use of satellite imagery for creating large-scale art installations or branding.
2. Unusual Locations - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop new ways to utilize and monetize unexpected or interesting locations revealed through satellite imagery.
3. Personalized Advertising - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Utilize satellite imagery for creating personalized advertising campaigns or brand experiences based on geographic locations.
Industry Implications
1. Art - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Combine technology and art to create immersive and unique experiences using satellite imagery.
2. Tourism - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop virtual tourism experiences using satellite imagery to explore unusual or hidden locations.
3. Marketing - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Use satellite imagery for targeted advertising and location-based marketing initiatives.