Chapter 1 Why Data Visualization

Why does data need to be visualized?

1.1 History of Data Visualization

William Playfair, etc.

1.2 Our Brains Want It

The brain has a lot of muscle for receiving and interpreting spatial information. Conversely, your brain has almost no ability to readily read, understand, and generate new questions about a bland table of numbers – even small ones.

(show table and scatter plot to demonstrate)

1.3 Key Resources and Inspiration