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In 1905 Einstein constructed his special theory of relativity from two postulates: (1) No physical phenomena can distinguish among different uniformly moving frames of reference; (2) The speed of light in empty space is independent of the speed of the source of the light.

The resulting description of space and time finds its most insightful description in the two-dimensional "space-time diagrams" invented by Minkowski in 1908.

These are traditionally introduced after relativity has been developed along other lines, as a concise graphical summary of its analytical content.

It is possible, however, to construct Minkowski's diagrams directly from Einstein's two postulates, using nothing more than some simple plane geometry. This geometric route into relativity is simpler and more powerful than other ways of developing the subject.

Some of its elementary features may be unfamiliar even to professional relativists.