In today’s digital era, jotting down notes has become effortless thanks to technology. Meetings, conversations, and ideas can all be documented using apps or classic recordings. However, things were more challenging before these useful innovations. In the past, real-time note-taking was facilitated through a writing method known as shorthand.

Encyclopaedia Britannica states that shorthand was first developed by the Greek historian Xenophon. It wasn’t until the Roman Empire that the writing system gained popularity for jotting down notes as people conversed. The Latin shorthand system was utilized for more than a millennium before it nearly vanished in the Middle Ages.

Shorthand became popular once more during the Victorian Era after a significant period of decline. It was also utilized during the Reformation to expedite the notation of Bible translations. Over time, a more efficient shorthand system emerged due to the need for stenographers in the Industrial Revolution.

In 1837, Sir Isaac Pitman created a contemporary form of shorthand, which was later introduced to America in 1852 by his brother. Although the Pitman style was popular in Britain, it was later supplanted in the United States by John Robert Gregg’s style. Originally known as Light-Line Phonography in 1888, it was later renamed Gregg Shorthand.

Long hand was used for writing words with long strokes, while shorthand aimed to simplify letters for quicker note-taking and documentation. Due to the lack of similarity between shorthand symbols and their corresponding words, it can be mistaken for ancient writing. Some individuals believe that the unique dots and loops in our writing style make it more similar to Arabic than English.

Thanks to Gregg’s shorthand, individuals could transcribe 280 words once they had mastered it. Although not entirely outdated, this practice is still utilized for taking notes in legal, medical, and secretarial professions.

How do you feel about shorthand? Have you had personal experience with it or do you know someone who has? Feel free to share your thoughts and pass this along to others so they can also discover more about this unique writing style!