Graphics are visual presentations on some surface such as a wall, canvas, computer screen, paper, or stone to inform, illustrate, or entertain. Examples are photographs, drawings, Line Art, graphs, diagrams, typography, numbers, symbols, geometric designs, maps, engineering drawings, or other images. Graphics often combines text, illustration, and color. Graphics design may consist of the deliberate selection, creation, or arrangement of typography alone, as in a brochure, flier, poster, web site, or book without any other element. Clarity or effective communication may be the objective, association with other cultural elements may be sought, or merely, the creation of a distinctive style.

Graphics can be functional or artistic. Graphics can be imaginary or represent something in the real world. The latter can be a recorded version, such as a photograph, or an interpretation by a scientist to highlight essential features, or an artist, in which case the distinction with imaginary graphics may get blurred.

History

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The earliest graphics known to anthropologists studying prehistoric periods are cave paintings and markings on boulders, bone, ivory, and antlers created during the Upper Palaeolithic period from 40,000 - 10,000 B.C. or earlier. Many of these were found to record astronomical, seasonal, and chronological details. Some of the earliest graphics and drawings known to the modern world, from almost 6,000 years ago, are that of engraved stone tablets and ceramic cylinder seals, marking the beginning of the historic periods and the keeping of records for accounting and inventory purposes. Records from Egypt predate these and papyrus was used by the Egyptians as a material on which to plan the building of pyramids; they also used slabs of limestone and wood. From 600-250 BC the Greeks played a major role in geometry. They used graphics to represent their mathematical theories such as the Circle Theorem and the Pythagorean theorem.

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NPR Topics: Technology

Investor Icahn Urges Yahoo-Microsoft Merger
Thu, 15 May 2008 06:00:00 -0400
After Microsoft withdrew its bid for Yahoo, it's been reported that billionaire Carl Icahn bought 50 million shares of Yahoo. Apparently, he wants to see the two companies merge, and he has even launched a proxy contest to get rid of Yahoo's entire board of directors.
Gaming Your Way to Fitness
Thu, 15 May 2008 01:36:00 -0400
Video games designed to provide a workout are becoming big business. But do these games — such as the Wii Fit, which hits stores Monday — deliver on their fitness promises?
Study: Number of Wireless-Only U.S. Homes Grows
Wed, 14 May 2008 11:45:00 -0400
More Americans are cancelling their landlines and using only wireless phones, according to a new study from the National Center for Health Statistics. In the last half of 2007, the number of homes without landlines — 16 percent — had more than doubled from the same period in 2004.

L.A. Times - Technology News

Icahn launches bid to take Yahoo board
Fri, 16 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700
The proxy battle is on as the billionaire investor backs an alternative slate of directors aiming to revive merger talks with Microsoft. San Francisco
Interpol data analysis bolsters Colombia claim
Fri, 16 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Electronic files that Bogota says prove Venezuela offered aid to FARC rebels are found to be unaltered. Interpol on Thursday vouched for the integrity of electronic files downloaded from a dead rebel leader's computer equipment, data that Colombia says strongly indicate that Venezuela offered to aid this nation's largest insurgent group.
CBS agrees to buy Internet media firm CNET
Fri, 16 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700
The network hopes the deal will greatly expand its advertising reach on the Web. Critics say the broadcaster's $1.8-billion offer is too high. In its biggest and boldest move onto the Web, agreed Thursday to buy the Internet media company CNET Networks Inc. for $1.8 billion in a deal that drew flak from critics for its high price and its daunting management challenges.

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