Home / Brinton, Willard C. Graphic Methods for Presenting Facts. New York: The Engineering Magazine Company, 1914. Internet Archive identifier: cu31924032626792 (Cornell University Library copy). The first American textbook on what we now call data visualization. / Passage

Graphic Methods for Presenting Facts

Brinton, Willard C. Graphic Methods for Presenting Facts. New York: The Engineering Magazine Company, 1914. Internet Archive identifier: cu31924032626792 (Cornell University Library copy). The first American textbook on what we now call data visualization. 290 words

CONTENTS

PAGE

Chapter I. Component Parts 1

The need for graphic methods in presenting facts. The method of presentation as important as the data. PossibiKty for standard methods of presentation. Tabulated figures versus graphic methods. A total shown with its component parts. The horizontal bar. The circle and sectors. Subdivision of components. Separate bars totalling 100 per cent. Charts giving numerous subdivisions. Organization charts. Routing charts for manufacturing plants and offices.

Chapter II. Simple Comparisons 20

Errors due to comparing by areas or by volumes instead of by one dimension only. The use of graphic methods in geography books. The data should be shown on the face of each chart if possible. Good and bad methods of including the data. "Eye-catchers" to attract the attention of the reader. Criticisms of methods commonly used. Certain bars made especially prominent. Increases and decreases. Lines connecting different bars. Examples of various good methods.

Chapter III. Simple Comparisons Involving Time 36

Impossibility of accurate interpretation when circles of different size are compared. Errors when pictures of the human figure in different size are compared. Methods which are popular and accurate as well. Examples of bad practice in arrangement and the same data correctly represented. Vertical bars giving the general effect of a simple curve. Curve plotting.

Chapter IV. Time Charts 53

Horizontal bars drawn to a scale of time. Complex time charts by which the relations of numerous horizontal bars may be studied. Time charts showing bars combined with a curve expressing totals. Curves to study whether time schedules are maintained. Rank charts to portray the rank of different individuals at various times. Rank charts showing actual relative rank at any time and also changes in rank at various times. Traindispatching charts. Time-distance curves.