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A history of evolution as illustrated via a Histomap charting the evolution of Earth, life, and mankind over 10,000 Million Years.

This was actually the third Histomap by John B. Sparks whose original graphic, HISTOMAP – Four Thousand Years of World History, was first printed by Rand McNally in 1931.

This first HISTOMAP, which can be seen here, so puts things into perspective for me. It really took my breath away when I first saw it, originally posted at Slate.com.

Every genetic variation of mankind, charted across time. When I look at this map, the idea of keeping things ‘the same’ seems like a form of madness. It would seem that when it comes to where we choose to live and whom we choose to love, the natural flow of life will always win. So, accepting these shifts, ebbs and flows, can surely make one’s life much easier.

By this I do not mean accept domination and roll over! I am for freedom for all and respect for our fellow man / woman / child and animal! What I do mean is the recognition that ten thousand million years have shown us that if there’s one thing we can truly count on, it is change.

You can read more about the original HISTOMAP below, again viewable here, courtesy of Slate.com.

This giant, ambitious chart fit neatly with a trend in nonfiction book publishing of the 1920s and 1930s: the “outline,” in which large subjects (the history of the world! every school of philosophy! all of modern physics!) were distilled into a form comprehensible to the most uneducated layman.

The 5-foot-long Histomap was sold for $1 and folded into a green cover, which featured endorsements from historians and reviewers. Sparks followed up on the success of this Histomap by publishing at least two more: the Histomap of religion (which I’ve been unable to find online) and the Histomap of evolution.

Peace to everybody.

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