Show and Tell…
Congressmen and women make complex arguments on the floor these days– arguments strengthened by the use of graphics. And so our representatives frequently employ charts, graphs, photos, and other visual aids…
Some are original graphics…
Some are taken for effect from popular media…
And some are animated…
Readers will find a much richer selection of Congressional infographics at the mesmerizing Floor Charts.
Democracy at work!
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As we redouble our doodling, we might recall that it was on this date in 1509 that the first book with Roman type was published in Britain: Ship of Fools, Alexander Barclay’s English adaptation of Narrenschiff, Sebastian Brant’s German poem satirizing all manner of late-fifteenth century folly. It was one of the most successful published works of its age, and as its popularity grew it was translated into several European languages. Printed by Richard Pynson, one of the finest printers of his time, it was immensely popular– one of the first international bestsellers– and paved the way for a new wave of satirical literature.
This printed leaf from the first edition features both Latin and Old English text, and a woodcut by Albrecht Dürer:
