BEFORE THE INTERNET, WE HAD ROTATING INFORMATION INTERFACES.

Long before online interactivity, there were rotating wheels (known as wheel charts, or volvelles). They often contained a lot of information and delivered it in small, user-controlled amounts. Isn’t that exactly what we’re trying to do today? There are several examples in Jessica Helfand’s excellent book “Wheels of Invention”: goo.gl/QrLZNx

HISTORY

Wheel charts have been around a very long time. This one, from the 15th-century, is for determining the position of the Sun and the Moon in the zodiac.

(National Library of Wales)