Constellations: Collaboration Graphs of World History

Constellations is an innovative tool that generates dynamic, AI-powered knowledge graphs to visualize the interconnectedness of historical figures and events. This project creates collaboration graphs on-the-fly, allowing users to explore rich historical contexts without pre-computed databases. The central concept revolves around nodes that represent people and events, with edges linking individuals to the events they participated in.

Key Features

• Bipartite Structure: The graph design ensures that the connections are strictly between people and events, eliminating misleading relationships often found in traditional queries. Each person serves as a hub for events, while events are defined as interactions involving multiple individuals.

• Live Exploration: Users can begin their journey from any node—be it a film, battle, or project—and explore relationships between historical figures, expanding outwards through live queries powered by Gemini Pro.

• Interactive Visualizations: Built on D3.js, the graph engine features a custom force-directed layout that allows users to switch effortlessly between network views and chronological timelines. Engaging with the timelines provides a clear depiction of how events and individuals are connected through history.

Visual Examples

• Explore a direct path of connections, such as:

  John von Neumann ➔ Geoffrey Hinton
  

• Browse through top biographies categorized by article length and link density, offering a diverse overview of influential figures in world history.

Technical Overview

• Real-time Queries: The mechanism utilizes Gemini Pro for identifying connections live, enhancing the user experience and accuracy of the graphs.
• Image Logic: Images are sourced from Wikipedia Commons, ensuring relevance while minimizing potential errors from AI-driven sources.
• Frontend Framework: Developed using React 19 combined with Tailwind CSS for a responsive design, prioritizing user engagement and navigation ease.

Conclusion

Constellations leverages advanced AI technology to present a unique perspective on historical collaboration networks, setting the stage for deeper understanding and appreciation of world history. With its innovative approach to generating knowledge graphs, users can dive into fascinating narratives and explore the collaborative tapestry of notable individuals and significant events throughout time.