Timeline
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A timeline is a representation of a chronological sequence of events, also referred to as a chronology. In general, timelines are a graphical data visualization with a horizontal or vertical axis that represents time. Events are displayed on the timeline according to when the event took place. A timeline can also mean a schedule of activities, such as a timetable.
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[edit] Uses of timelines
Timelines are often used in education to help students and researchers with understanding events and trends for a particular subject.
[edit] History
Timelines are particularly useful for studying history, as they convey a sense of change over time. Wars and social movements are often shown as timelines. Timelines are also useful for biographies. Examples include:
- World War I timeline
- Timeline of the African-American Civil Rights Movement
- Timeline of United States history (1930–1949)
- Chronology of Shakespeare's plays
[edit] Natural Sciences
Timelines are also used in the natural sciences for subjects such as biology and geology.
[edit] Project Management
Another type of timeline is used for project management. In these cases, timelines are used to help team members to know what milestones need to be achieved and under what time schedule.
[edit] Time Scale
Timelines can take use any time scale, depending on the subject and data. Most timelines use a linear scale, where a unit of distance is equal to a set amount of time. This time scale is dependent on the events in the timeline. A timeline of evolution can be over millions of years, whereas a timeline about the September 11, 2001 can take place over minutes. While most timelines use a linear timescale, for very large or small timespans, logarithmic timelines use a logarithmic scale to depict time.
[edit] Types of timelines
There are many methods of visualizations for timelines. Historically, timelines were static images, and generally drawn or printed on paper. Timelines relied heavily on graphic design, and the ability of the artist to visualize the data. Minard's map (1861) of Napoleon's invasion of Russia is an example of a non-standard timeline that also uses geography as part of the visualization.
Many timelines are now digital and interactive. They are no longer constrained by standard space limitations. These timelines are now created using downloaded software or through internet websites.
[edit] See also
- List of themed timelines
- List of timelines
- Chronology
- Living graph
- Logarithmic timeline
- Detailed logarithmic timeline
- Synchronoptic view
- SIMILE
- WikiTimeScale
[edit] References
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This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (January 2008) |
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Timeline |
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Look up timeline in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. |
- World History Database
- xtimeline.com - Interactive timelines of history and biographies.
- A Timeline of Timelines
- Timelines.info Graphical timelines of world history
- WikiTimeScale, Wiki for graphical illustration of historic events, persons and so on.
- AllofMe - Some interactive timelines.
- WikiTimeLine Extension, MediaWiki extension for dynamic (AJAX) visualisation of timelines.
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