But exactly how this story is told can vary based on one’s contemporary perspective.

These histories, illustrated by John Alsop Paine, start at the Biblical beginning with Adam and Eve.

Stone age tools appear, as do the busts of ancient philosophers.

19th-Century “Synchronological Chart” Shows World History Across 23 Feet

The march of world history, “Adams' Synchronological Chart of Universal History” by Sebastian C. Adams and published by Colby & Co. Publishers, NY, 1881. (Photo:David Rumsey Map Collection)

The Stone Age becomes the Iron Age, and Assyrian lamassu rise from the sands.

The full 22-foot timeline.

That copy is presented on a scroll so that the unwieldy timeline can be easily perused.

19th-Century “Synchronological Chart” Shows World History Across 23 Feet

The full 22-foot timeline. (Photo:David Rumsey Map Collection)

Other booklet formats were also used, and the timeline was popular in schools.

Further moments of note.

(Photo:David Rumsey Map Collection)

…through the development of ancient civilizations.

19th-Century “Synchronological Chart” Shows World History Across 23 Feet

Further moments of note. (Photo:David Rumsey Map Collection)

(Photo:David Rumsey Map Collection)

And it even shows technological developments.

(Photo:David Rumsey Map Collection)

World inventions and events.

19th-Century “Synchronological Chart” Shows World History Across 23 Feet

Adam and Eve at the beginning. (Photo:David Rumsey Map Collection)

19th-Century “Synchronological Chart” Shows World History Across 23 Feet

Assyrian lamassu. (Photo:David Rumsey Map Collection)

19th-Century “Synchronological Chart” Shows World History Across 23 Feet

Ancient implements. (Photo:David Rumsey Map Collection)

19th-Century “Synchronological Chart” Shows World History Across 23 Feet

World inventions and events. (Photo:David Rumsey Map Collection)

19th-Century “Synchronological Chart” Shows World History Across 23 Feet

Countries depicted separately. (Photo:David Rumsey Map Collection)