Martin Waldseemüller was a German cartographer born in 1470. He is best known for creating the first map to use the name “America” in 1507, which was a significant milestone in the history of cartography. This map depicted the New World and was influential in shaping European perceptions of the Americas. Waldseemüller worked at the University of Freiburg and was part of a group that aimed to produce accurate maps based on the latest explorations. His work was inspired by explorers like Christopher Columbus and Vasco da Gama, and it contributed to the understanding of global geography during the Age of Discovery.