How does knowledge grow? Sometimes it begins with one insight and grows into many branches; other times it grows as a complex and interconnected network. Infographics expert Manuel Lima explores the thousand-year history of mapping data -- from languages to dynasties -- using trees and networks of information. It's a fascinating history of visualizations, and a look into humanity's urge to map what we know.

Manuel Lima: A visual history of human knowledge

A visual history of human knowledge

The journey from Aristotle's great chain of being to the Porphyrian tree unveils humanity's evolving visualization of knowledge.

From mapping morality with the tree of virtues to understanding the intricate web of human knowledge via networks, visualization evolves.

From 'Scala naturae' to neural networks, our visualization of knowledge has evolved from hierarchical trees to intricate networks.