A World Made by Travel

Overview & Synopsis

In the mid-eighteenth century, the English scientist and theologian Joseph Priestley published two of the most consequential data visualizations in modern history: theChart of Biographyand theNew Chart of History. With these diagrams, Priestley created the graphic format that we refer to today as thetimeline. The power of the timeline, as Priestley conceived it, was not simply to record and display facts but to visualize patterns and relationships in historical data. To Priestley, the timeline was less image than interactive device. Chronographics: The Time Charts of Joseph Priestley explores the interactive architecture of Priestley's paper machines. By reconstructing his charts in a digital environment—building them from the ground up using his data and graphic rules—this publication examines the history and design of two trailblazing visual devices, their sources, and their influence. Through Priestley's time charts, Chronographics tells the story of early information graphics and of the emergence of modern ways of imagining and visualizing historical time.