[R] [OT] vernacular names for circular diagrams

[Gabor Grothendieck]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pie_chart

cites papers using the polar area diagram prior to Nightengale although
it does say that many sources credit it to her.

On Jan 29, 2008 6:16 AM, Jim Lemon <jim at bitwrit.com.au> wrote:
> Rolf Turner wrote:
> > ...
> > I have been for many years under the impression that the pie chart
> > was invented by Florence Nightingale.  Am I misinformed?
> >
> Hi Rolf,
>
> Yes, you have been misled. Dear old Florence invented a related
> illustration now usually referred to as a "polar area diagram". It was
> an ingenious way of representing quantities as areas, but probably had
> to be explained at length to those subjected to it. The principal
> advantage of the pie chart is that most people think they understand it
> upon seeing it, even if they don't. As is common in human affairs, even
> the illusion of understanding is preferred to a lofty digression upon
> why the audience does not understand.
>
> Jim
>
>
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