The history of the naming of America is already well-established. The famous Martin Waldseemüller map of 1507 is the first known cartographical project to utilize the term America to designate the lands reported by Amerigo Vespucci. The map was collected and preserved along with other contemporary cartographical works by the German globemaker Johannes Schöner.

A new book by John W. Hessler reexamines Johannes Schöner and the history of Renaissance cartography.

The New York Times reports on the new book and the Waldseemüller map.