Interactive data in the pre-Web era Interactive data visualization is an essential component in the current state of our web.
As our world becomes increasingly data-driven and technologies like AI, the Metaverse, and the decentralized web gain momentum, pushing interactive data visualization to the next level is crucial
As humans, we have always had the urge to chart the world around us. This urge has pushed us to improve the way we collect, process, and communicate information throughout history.
Interactive scatter plot example: Demo by John Tukey & Marian Fisherkeller about Prim9, a first for computer-assisted data visualization, recorded in 1973
However, most data was only locally stored and not accessible to the general public unless (occasionally) translated to existing communication channels, like newspapers and tv shows.
Software was developed with experts on specific sectors in mind, and therefore the user base was limited. By this time, the focus was on advancing technology, not thinking much of usability, and the questioning of the ethics of software was barely acknowledged by society.
The amount of digital information started growing considerably. However, even if we found ways of building and manipulating digital information, sharing it was still restricted in most parts of the physical world (we either printed it or stored it in drives that we could then carry to other computers).
A computer requires users, not watchers”: Even if the technology wasn’t there yet, we already acknowledged that sharing information (in educational, leisure, and business contexts) had a greater impact on effective interaction.”
We had growing data, improving software, and better processors, and the mouse became a standard part of a PC setup. Thanks to the many advances and improved affordability, using a home computer became popular and led to millions of new users.