One week after I completed the first draft of this timeline, the discovery of a new cave painting was announced—a painting that was five thousand years older than what had been established for decades as the earliest-known piece of cave art. While we were able to adjust the content to represent this new finding (which kicks off the timeline), it was an exciting reminder of the fact that we are still discovering the world around us.

The snapshot of the past that this timeline represents can change, but I've tried to deliver a useful overview of how visual communication has evolved since its earliest appearances in human history. Understanding the history of visual communication can help you plan your own future as a visual strategist.

All sources are cited in the Resources section of this book.