The problem that the corkscrew solves is representing data on a continuum (timeline for example) where the data between ticks (gap) is not equal but the display distance is equal. It is difficult to judge visually the relative distance between points that are not equidistant.
Waves instead of lines show the relative distance of the gaps between ticks. Triangles waves are perhaps the simplest, however, sine waves would be most ideal.
Using the numbers 5, 6, 7, 20, 21, 24, 30, 100
-5--------6--------7--/\/\--20--------21---/\---24---/\/--30/\/\/\/\100-
Calculating the number of periods and the length of periods in a gap requires math. Math is hard tho.
Below are a few possible solutions that are easier to implement than the corkscrew graph.
Keep the ticks the same distance apart regardless of any gaps in the timeline.
-5-6-7-20-21-24-30-100-
The most common solution for showing that a line is very long without displaying as such is to use a Graph Break. This symbol looks like this: --//--. This solution is good for a small amount of very long breaks, but if there are many break then breaks can not easily be compared.
-5-6-7-//-20-21-----24-//-30-//-100-
If display space is not a concern the best solution would be to simple have an empty timeline to show gaps between ticks. Good for museums, but not so good for smaller displays.
-5-6-7-------------------------20-21-----24-----------30-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------100-