In today’s tech-savvy world, capturing conversations, meetings, and ideas is easier than ever, thanks to various apps and recording devices. But before the convenience of digital tools, people relied on a fascinating, time-saving skill called shorthand to record notes in real time.
Shorthand has a long history, originating with the ancient Greeks. According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, the Greek historian Xenophon first developed shorthand as a method for taking notes quickly and efficiently. The system caught on during the Roman Empire, allowing people to capture spoken words as they were heard, making it an invaluable tool for note-taking. For over a thousand years, this Latin-based shorthand system remained in use until it eventually faded out in the Middle Ages.
Shorthand saw a resurgence in popularity during the Victorian Era, after centuries of dormancy. The method became particularly useful for quickly transcribing Bible translations during the Reformation. Then, with the rise of the Industrial Revolution, the demand for quick and accurate note-taking led to the evolution of modern shorthand.
In 1837, Sir Isaac Pitman developed a new style of shorthand that streamlined the process even further. His brother later introduced this method to the United States in 1852. Although the Pitman system was widely adopted in Britain, a new style emerged in the U.S. with John Robert Gregg’s shorthand in 1888. Originally called “Light-Line Phonography,” Gregg Shorthand soon gained popularity across America. Unlike longhand, which required full strokes for each letter, shorthand condensed letters to their basic forms, making it far faster. Because of the unique shapes, loops, and dots used to represent sounds, shorthand can appear ancient or even resemble Arabic script to those unfamiliar with it.
Gregg Shorthand was transformative, allowing skilled users to write up to 280 words per minute. Though less common today, shorthand still has practical applications in professions like law, medicine, and administration, where quick and accurate note-taking remains essential.
Have you ever tried using shorthand, or do you know someone who has? Share your experiences with this unique writing style, and perhaps you’ll inspire others to give it a try!
