National Geographic celebrates 128 years of infographics in new book

Launching in 1888, National Geographic came into our consciousness before the information age, sharing previously untold insights into history, popular science and culture to readers around the world. Despite the considerable changes in how we consume information that have occurred since its first publication, National Geographic has remained an ever-respected constant, admired for its long-standing approach to sharing information and stories.

In a new book, National Geographic and Taschen have gathered together the magazine’s best infographics from the last 128 years. The book is divided into seven sections – History, The Planet, Being Human, Animal World, World of Plants, Science & Technology, and Space. This breadth highlights the wealth of material National Geographic has covered over the decades, with the fall of the Roman Empire, Easter Island’s mysterious statues, Cleopatra’s Alexandria and the anatomy behind a cheetah’s immense speed all making an appearance.

The infographics vary in style and detail showcasing popular styles of the time, with illustrations and graphics from the 20s and 60s to the present day. An essay by information designer and illustrator Nigel Holmes accompanies the book, which charts the evolution of National Geographic and it’s “pioneering use of graphics”. The book has been designed by London-based studio Praline and five fold-outs have been worked into the book, mimicking the original pull-outs and inserts in the magazine.

A tome of learning and discovery, this book stands as a record of the facts, histories and figures that have been visualised by National Geographic since day one.