Though we encounter graphic design all-day-every-day, we rarely contemplate it’s roots. Worldwide authorities on genre, Steven Heller and Véronique Vienne recently took to the task of combing the past 100 years of design and compiling a wonderful book examining the top 100 game-changing ideas.

The entries are arranged in chronological order and range from technical (overprinting, rub-on designs, split fountain); to stylistic (swashes on caps, loud typography, and white space); to objects (dust jackets, design handbooks); and methods (paper cut-outs, pixelation). This richly informative and lavishly illustrated book is both a great source of inspiration and a provocative record of industry greats.

Cover image via The Salt Lab