Leading the line: Nicolaus Cruquius' first use of an abstract line graph - an innovation in data visualization

Nicolaus Cruquius' (1678-1754) first use of an abstract line graph should not be regarded as an isolated occurrence, but should be considered in the context of contemporary developments and occupations and disciplines that Cruquius was affiliated with. Acknowledging the influence of non-human actors, in line with actor-network theory, appears to be crucial for creating an in depth understanding. Willem Jacob 's Gravesande's (1688-1742) simultaneous arrival with Cruquius at Leiden University and his propagation of Newtonian ideas by means of demonstrative experiments, spurred Cruquius to relate shape to measurement. Besides, 's Gravesande might be assumed to have taught Cruquius about recent developments in the area of Newtonian mathematics. Education on Newton’s differential methods exposed Cruquius to images strongly resembling line graphs in their appearance as well as their meaning. His father's, and later his own, occupation as examiner of navigators of the EIC, made him aware...Show moreNicolaus Cruquius' (1678-1754) first use of an abstract line graph should not be regarded as an isolated occurrence, but should be considered in the context of contemporary developments and occupations and disciplines that Cruquius was affiliated with. Acknowledging the influence of non-human actors, in line with actor-network theory, appears to be crucial for creating an in depth understanding. Willem Jacob 's Gravesande's (1688-1742) simultaneous arrival with Cruquius at Leiden University and his propagation of Newtonian ideas by means of demonstrative experiments, spurred Cruquius to relate shape to measurement. Besides, 's Gravesande might be assumed to have taught Cruquius about recent developments in the area of Newtonian mathematics. Education on Newton’s differential methods exposed Cruquius to images strongly resembling line graphs in their appearance as well as their meaning. His father's, and later his own, occupation as examiner of navigators of the EIC, made him aware of the pragmatic need for continuity in data as well as for attractive and easily understandable ways of presenting this data. Moreover, it emphasized the importance of synthesizing different strands of information. Both practices of navigation and water management called for mapping the motions of celestial bodies. The assumed continuous movements of these bodies resulted in Cruquius naturally connecting his measured points. Moreover, the necessary translation from a movement on the apparent inside of a sphere to a two-dimensional plane caused a certain level of abstraction. Cruquius' intellectual contact with Luigi Ferdinando Marsigli (1658-1730), and his introduction to the idea of an isobath, further prompted him to think of connecting measurements. In general, being a cartographer made him familiar with estimating and filling in gaps. More specifically, being a cartographer occupied with mapping water levels caused Cruquius to get used to visualizing that what is not directly visibly but is assumed to be continuous. The resulting profiles might well be considered a gateway to his abstract line graph.Show less

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Leading the line: Nicolaus Cruquius' first use of an abstract line graph - an innovation in data visualization