These interactive maps are designed to compare aerial photography in the Ocean State from different time periods. The 1939 and 1972 maps are both compared to a basemap with current imagery to serve as a point of reference.  Aerial photography can be quite beautiful, as can satellite imagery. These are more than just pretty pictures; interpreting aerial photography and satellite imagery is not easy; here is a great article that gives an introduction on how to interpret satellite imagery. With a little training, satellite images become rich data sources. This image shows a ‘spyglass’ of 1939 images from 1939 downtown Providence and another of 1972 Beavertail State Park. The historic images tell a very different story of these places then the current imagery.  Also you can see the elevation differences in Rhode Island by exploring this ArcGIS WebApp.