European Cotton Import “Flow Maps” from 1858, 1864, and 1865
Date
Credits
- Charles-Joseph Minard Illustrator
Format
- Illustration 293
- Map 63
Techniques
- illustration 132
These three maps, designed by Charles-Joseph Minard, are examples of how maps and the depiction of information changed over the course of the 19th century. These specific maps were coined as “Flow Maps” by Minard, utilizing color and widths to depict a larger (or smaller) flow interval, in these cases, the flow of cotton from the U.S. to Europe during the American Civil War in tons. The works of Minard were and still are revered as some of the best works of data visualization, having not only a very detailed rendering of lines, dotting, and concise labeling, but they also have a very ‘modern’ appeal to them. These maps, and others by Minard shaped the future of data visualization and what types of information can be shared with visual display.
