Günter Schilder (b.1942) studied geography and history at Vienna University from 1960 to 1967. He undertook two years of research in the Netherlands for his dissertation, and in 1970 he received his PhD from Vienna University. From 1971 he worked in the Netherlands at Utrecht University, researching the history of cartography. In 1981 he was appointed Professor of History of Cartography, a position he held until his retirement in 2005. Schilder is the author of numerous publications on the history of Dutch cartography and maritime discoveries, and the founder of the Explokart Research Programme.
Hans D. Kok (b. 1940) completed his secondary education in The Netherlands. He attended the Dutch Government Civil Aviation Flying Training School. Upon completion, he joined KLM- Royal Dutch Airlines, flying and navigating the last series of four-engined propeller planes in intercontinental operation in his initial career. He served in various managerial functions at home and abroad and retired from active flying in 1996 as Captain Boeing 747- 400. His interest in navigation and maps stems from his early days of navigating across oceans and polar areas.