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. 321 words

In many cases, the graphic method requires less space than is required for words and there is, besides, the great advantage that with graphic methods facts are presented so that the reader may make deductions of his own, while when words are used the reader must usually accept the ready-made conclusions handed to him.

In many presentations it is not a question of saving time to the reader but a question of placing the arguments in such form that results may surely be obtained. For matters affecting public welfare, it is hard to estimate the benefits which may accrue if a little care be used in presenting data so that they will be convincing to the reader. If the average citizen, and especially the business man, knew how to uiterpret charts and curves, it would be feasible to convey to him in effective form those facts relating to broad public improvements, public-service operation, and national, State, or municipal management, which might affect the whole fabric of our civilization. Archimedes wanted only a fulcrum for his lever and he would move the world. If the world is ever moved it will probably be by facts properly

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presented. The method of presentation is the fulcrum without which facts, as a lever, are useless.

The preparation and interpretation of simple charts and curves should be taught in the public schools as a part of arithmetic. The work of kindergarten nature now done in the lower grades of the public schools could very readily be extended so that the pupils would be making charts and curves without realizing that the work (or play) had any relation to mathematics. Text-books for geography are already making effective use of charts. In the public schools of Newark and of Trenton, New Jersey, grammar-school pupils are preparing charts and plotting curves relating to records which show the present condition and recent development of their home city.