A History of Diagrams

Turning Points in the Illustrative Representation of Ideas
Erscheinungsjahr 2025
ISBN: 978-3-031-99690-0
Verlag: Springer

Buch, Englisch, 347 Seiten, Format (B × H): 153 mm x 216 mm, Gewicht: 586 g

Reihe: Palgrave Studies in the History of Science and Technology

This book examines the use of diagrams throughout history, from their Paleolithic antecedents to the present day. Drawing on theories and concepts from the cognitive sciences, the author explores the evolution of diagrammatic forms and their impact on the accumulation and dissemination of knowledge. This exploration reveals how paradigm shifts in worldviews and advances in image production technologies have shaped the way humans have given spatial form to abstract ideas. Highlighting global trends and regional variations, the book offers insights into how different societies have visualised complex ideas over time. Scholars, researchers and students in disciplines such as cognitive science, history and visual studies will find this book enlightening. It provides a comprehensive analysis that bridges historical and contemporary perspectives, making it essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the central role of diagrams in human thought and communication.

Zielgruppe

Research

Autoren/Hrsg.

Holmén, Janne

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Geschichtliche Themen Kultur- und Ideengeschichte
• Interdisziplinäres Wissenschaften Wissenschaften: Allgemeines Geschichte der Naturwissenschaften, Formalen Wissenschaften & Technik
• Technische Wissenschaften Technik Allgemein Technikgeschichte
• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Geschichtliche Themen Mentalitäts- und Sozialgeschichte

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Chapter 1. Introduction.- Chapter 2. The Cognitive Foundations of the History of Diagrams.- Chapter 3. The Prehistory of Diagrams.- Chapter 4. Diagrams for the Structuring and Classification of Knowledge.- Chapter 5. Printing Diagrams of Systems.- Chapter 6. Spatial Representation of Data.- Chapter 7. Diagramming Flows and Causality.- Chapter 8. Diagramming the Political Space.- Chapter 9. Balancing Complexity and Simplification.- Chapter 10. Conclusions.

Über Autor(innen)

Janne Holmén is Associate Professor of the History of Education at Uppsala University, Sweden. His research interests include textbook studies, conceptual history and cognitive history. Janne specialises in comparative studies of the history of education, often from a history of science perspective.