Database Reference
In-Depth Information
The Origin of Time Charts
Scottish engineer and political economist
William Playfair
is credited with inventing the line
chart in 1786, when he visualized the balance of trade between countries in his book,
The
Commercial and Political Atlas
(see
Figure 9-1
).
Figure 9-1. The first line chart, by William Playfair in 1786
Two lines are depicted, showing imports and exports over time, and the caption at the bottom
describes the two axes. We're so accustomed to seeing line charts today that it's almost
amusing to see the axes explained in this way, and yet line charts aren't even as old as the
United States. William Playfair had the pioneer's task of introducing his readers to this new
form of communication.
