Using the Timeline Slider

Finding the Timeline Slider

The timeline slider appears at the bottom of the map interface on desktop and at the top on mobile devices. It's a horizontal bar with decade markers spanning from the earliest records in our database to the present day.

Timeline Components

• Slider Handle: The draggable circle that you move to select time periods.
• Decade Markers: Labeled increments showing major time periods (1950s, 1960s, etc.).
• Year Display: Shows the exact year currently selected.
• Play Button: Automatically animates through time periods.
• Reset Button: Returns to present day (showing all time periods).

Basic Timeline Navigation

Using the timeline slider is straightforward, but here's a step-by-step guide to get you started.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1 Open the Map: Navigate to the interactive map page.

2 Locate the Slider: Find the timeline slider at the bottom (desktop) or top (mobile) of the map.

3 Drag the Handle: Click and drag the slider handle left (past) or right (future).

4 Watch the Map Update: Markers will appear and disappear as you move through time.

5 Fine-Tune the Year: Click directly on the slider bar to jump to specific years.

Animation Mode

Want to sit back and watch history unfold? Animation mode automatically scrolls through the timeline, showing how your area changed decade by decade.

Using Animation

• Start Animation: Click the play button (▶) next to the slider.
• Pause Animation: Click the pause button (⏸) to stop at any point.
• Adjust Speed: Use the speed controls to make animation faster or slower.
• Loop Mode: Enable looping to continuously cycle through all time periods.
• Skip Decades: Use next/previous buttons to jump forward or backward by decade.

Animation mode is particularly effective for presentations, education, or just enjoying the visual transformation of your community over time. It's fascinating to watch commercial districts emerge, expand, and sometimes decline.

Understanding What the Timeline Shows

When you move the timeline slider, the map displays only businesses and locations that existed during your selected time period. Here's what that means in practice.

Filtering Logic

• Active Businesses: Markers show only businesses operating during the selected year.
• Exact Dates: If we have precise opening/closing dates, filtering is exact.
• Approximate Dates: For approximate dates, we show businesses if they likely existed then.
• Ongoing Businesses: Businesses that opened before your selected year and remain open will always show.
• Future Filtering: Moving the slider toward present day reveals newer businesses.

Advanced Timeline Techniques

Once you're comfortable with basic timeline usage, try these advanced techniques to get even more out of the feature.

Power User Tips

• Compare Specific Years: Jump between two different years to see exactly what changed.
• Track Business Lifespans: Watch when specific businesses appear and disappear on the timeline.
• Identify Patterns: Notice trends like when commercial areas boomed or declined.
• Historical Events: Correlate timeline periods with known historical events in your area.
• Neighborhood Evolution: Focus on one neighborhood and scroll through decades to see its transformation.
• Combine with Search: Search for a business, then use the timeline to find when it existed.

Timeline on Mobile Devices

The timeline slider is fully optimized for mobile use, though the interface is slightly different to accommodate smaller screens.

Mobile-Specific Features

• Vertical Orientation: On very small screens, the timeline may display vertically.
• Touch Gestures: Drag the slider with your finger for smooth scrolling.
• Tap to Jump: Tap decade markers to jump quickly to specific eras.
• Expanded View: Tap the timeline to expand it for easier precision control.
• Compact Animation: Animation controls are consolidated into a single menu on mobile.

Creative Ways to Use the Timeline

The timeline slider isn't just for casual browsing. Here are some creative ways people use this feature.

Educational Uses

• School Projects: Students research how their community changed during specific historical periods.
• Walking Tours: Create historical walking tours focused on specific decades.
• Family History: Find businesses your ancestors might have visited or worked at.
• Local Journalism: Research the history of neighborhoods for articles or documentaries.
• Urban Planning: Understand historical development patterns to inform future decisions.
• Nostalgia Exploration: Revisit the businesses and places from your childhood or youth.

Troubleshooting Timeline Issues

Occasionally you might encounter issues with the timeline. Here are common problems and solutions.

Common Issues

• Slider Not Responding: Try refreshing the page or clearing your browser cache.
• Animation Running Too Fast/Slow: Adjust animation speed in settings.
• Missing Markers: Remember, absence of markers means no documented businesses for that period.
• Dates Seem Wrong: Report potential errors through our verification system.
• Mobile Performance: On older devices, disable animation for smoother performance.

For more help, see our Troubleshooting Guide or contact support.