Power of Data Visualization

Three firms control 89% of US soft drink sales. This dominance is obscured from us by the appearance of numerous choices on retailer shelves. Steve Hannaford refers to this as "pseudovariety," or the illusion of diversity, concealing a lack of real choice. To visualize the extent of pseudovariety in this industry he developed a cluster diagram to represent the number of soft drink brands and varieties found in the refrigerator cases of 94 Michigan retailers, along with their ownership connections.

Inside look at the US home improvement industry.

As a result of the ongoing disaster of the BP Gulf oil spill, many people are taking a harder look at transportation. Cars aren't the only things that use petroleum products, of course. About four gallons of jet fuel are processed from each barrel of oil. The good news is, a number of airlines are experimenting with biofuels and boosting airplane efficiency. To help get a sense of the scope of the airline industry, check out this new infographic.