TOPO OVERLAND

How This Got Started

Edward T. Addi, my grandfather, was an engineer in the army in the 1940's and developed maps for the U.S. government during WWII in what I believe was the 655th Engineer Topographic Battalion.  He developed maps of both allied countries as well as enemy territories.  Much of his work during WWII was secret and to date little detail is known about the maps he developed in the army.   After his time in the military he started a surveying business creating maps for developers, the government, and municipalities.  Edward T. Addi passed away in 1976, before I got the chance to know him.  In late 2018 over 200 of his original topographical maps were discovered and they have become treasured pieces to me and my family.  Since finding these priceless memories, I have spent a lot of time pondering how to honor his time in the military, his success as a businessman, and as the grandfather I never knew.  Incorporating his memory into a personal passion of mine, being a part of the Overlanding community, was an effortless decision.  Thus, Topo Overland was born.  The products we develop at Topo Overland are digitized tributes to him and his volumes of work.  Each piece we develop, whether a hand-picked super soft t-shirt or highly reflective custom vinyl for offroad rigs, contains within it the tribute in the form of one of his maps.  We hope to spread enthusiasm about his work through our designs and products and we hope they are enjoyed by everyone.