New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-06-04
WHO INVENTED PHONOGRAPHY!

II
DENIAL OF THE COMMON BELIEF THAT THE
CREDIT BELONGS TO ISAAC PITMAN.
To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The question as to who invented phonog-
raphy Is the all-important one among the young
stenographers and others interested in the art OF
writing words In shorthand according 70 VOCAL
sounds comprised In the same
ON perusing the contents Of various stenographic
journals it is evident that the question as to VINO
invented photography Is repeatedly asked oy STU
dents who are anxious to obtain trustworthy infor-
nation on the subject. but 1t seems that most OF
the editors and publishers who are conducting
such publications very reticent, evasive or mis-
leading in their replies. except in general way by
merely referring the seeker after the truth 10 the
Pitmanc publications that deliberately proclaim
Mr. Pitman as the inventor For this the honor
OF knghthood vas conferred upon him, but his
friends carefully conceal the fact that the honor
was conferred upon him only as the inventor OF the
system of photography which bears his name. The
same fact is also carefully omitted or obterated
from all publications they control ana pubic no.
tees and advertisements they issue, so as TO con-
yey the impression convncingy as possible that
It was intended for the British realm at large or
even the world at large. If the reader was disposed
so TO construe it, Notwithstanding the fact that
Mr. Pitman himself more than one occasion de-
clared that he not the inventor OF phonog-
raphy. The committee of relatives and friends of
Mr.. Pitman, who appear TO have had charge OF his
person for time. soon curtailed his opportuni
ties Of saying anything unwise in the Chem
future.
Inasmuch as photography, or the art OF writing
words in shorthand according to the vocal sounds
comprised In them, has become Of such deep interest
to the thousands OF young and young women
who are daily using it in the performance OF their
respective duties and thus enabled to support
themselves, the question as to who its in
ventor has been brought prominently to the front;
but to all inquiries in egard to Its origin the pub
fishers and editors OF Photographic journals have
been evasive and unsatisfactory in their replies.
Now. the accredited oldest living author and
writer the subject OF shorthand, l may per-
haps be pardoned for Offering few remarks on
the subject, especially So l feel 1t a duty
the public and the stenogra phic profession as
well as myself with the assurance that am pre-
pared to substantate all have said. or may say.
on the question.
In the first place. deny that Mr. Pitman was the
inventor of photography and propose to submit to
the inspection Of your reporters or any committee
of intelligent citizens except n picked number of
Pitmanites) a copy Of my Stanographic Oo, con-
tanning a collection of writing in poetry and prose
In shorthand published by Lilly Wait Coleman A.
Holden, of Boston. early in 1888. In which | intro
duoed characters representing the long sounds OF
the vowels combinable with the consonant signs as
the first step In my scheme Of phonetic shorthand
In consequence OF the growth or a bony protuber-
arce In my right arm. which caused me great suf-
fering and impaired health. compelled to 20
South to spend the winter there at intervals | de-
voted my time and study to the perfection OF my
ideas and in deyising system of phonetic short
hand. with the assistance of a brother | prepared
the copy for the first edition of my phonetic system
OF shorthand which was printed for me BY e
H. White at Preston Lancashire, England hear
Ing the following title:
"A Complete Guide to the Art OF Writing Short,
nd being an entirely new and COMPREHENSIVE
System Of representing the Elementary Sounds of
the English Language In Stenogra phic Characters.
founded upon the most simple and unerrng prin
ciples, never before taught or practised by any
one. BY +. Towndrow Teacher of Stenogra phv
The teachers, reporters and others OF experience
In the art after an unprejudiced examination OF
the foregoing publication. must concede that IL
bears a striking resemblance to the phonopranhic,i
publications of day In its features and princpes
Notwithstanding the fact that period of over sixty
years has elapsed since first placed my phonetic
system of shorthand before the public and with
which hatter myself that have done considerable
satisfactory work of all kinds OF Journalists re-
porting In the city OF New-York Under the
circumstances related in the foregoing X NAV bo
reasonably inferred that Mr.. Pitman borrowed
some OF his idea about sound-writing as he called
II. from the first edition OF my Guide TO short
hand" rather than that was indebted TO him for
any.
Early in 1881. my return from Italy, where l
benefit OF my health. prepared edition OF my
Guide to Shorthand" which was published by
Henry Mozley Sons at Derby, England or the
edition OF TWO thousand copies issued brought one
thousand copies with me on my return TO the United
States.
stated the nature OF the principal proofs hold
n ha 0ri Al m icot a