A century ago, Earth and space research was predominantly discipline-based using data collected by human observations or land/laboratory-based geophysical and geochemical instruments. In the 1930s, technology began to impact the collection of data, starting with the development of airborne instrument platforms, followed later by satellites. By the 1990s, increasing computerisation of instruments, combined with the growth of internet technologies, facilitated distributed data acquisition. Researchers increasingly organised socially into national/international networks to undertake research at global scales. Today, science is even more pervasive. From scientists to citizens, the world now depends upon the continuous and open flow of data to inform decisions and improve lives. Research directions are more responsive to societal needs, and adoption of open data policies has lead to new transdisciplinary dimensions in research, the development of new applications, and the exposure of citizens globally to information essential for understanding our planet and managing the environment.