The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1924-05-29
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SHORTHAND SAVES
MILLIONS IN YEAR
System Used in England In
Uented by Timothy Briehf.

Next to the typewriter nothing has
neiped to reyolutionize business -
much as shorthand. It must bavo
saved millions of money to business
men the world over each year and
gained tremendous increase In rove.
nue. Tor the post Office, for whereas for
merry man might spend whole af.
ternoon debating three or four letters
10 d ionghand writer, today scores of
i communications can be taken down IN
shorthand almost In as many minutes
Ine advantages of shorthand do not
eno mere, for we all know how impor-
lant 1t is on the editorial side of
newspapers, In parliament. In the
courts and so on.
Enough shorthand plays such won
derful part In our lives. most peonla
know nothing, or practically nothing.
OF lts Fascinating story. How many
are aware. for instance, that the an
Client Romans employed It with suc-
cess, or that many pioneers had pro-
duced various systems long before Sir
isaac Pitman came upon the scene
with his more practicable method?
The system Of shorthand used by
the ancients probably consisted of con-
fractions of words. The first real short
hand known to England made It's ap-
pearance in 1888, when Timothy
Bright brought his invention before
the public. This system enjoyed con-
siderable popularity, and it is said
that some of Shakespeare's plays were
Transcribed from 1t.
Many other methods of "secret writ
Ing" as shorthand was called in those
days. made their appearance within the
next few years. One, the work of
John Willis. was employed by Samuel
Pepys, the famous diarist. After
Pepys death his diary had to be
transcribed before it could be pub
lished.
Charles Dickens, when he was a so
lfcitor's clerk, tried to learn shorthand.
He tried system produced by Quincy
and his Impressions may be gathered
from the fact that he made David Cop
perf1eld say that shorthand was "about
equal to the mastery of six languages"
1t was Quincy, by the way, who got
shorthand officially recognized. In 1850
ne was appointed shorthand writer to
the government. A number Of his de-
scendants also held the post, and Cur
ney's shorthand Is still used sometimes
In parliament.
1t was In 1887 that Isaac Pitman
came forward with his method of
which was destined to win
'uch worldwide approval. His first
'ystem was very crude, but In course
# time many improvements were
made. 1t is interesting to note that
me Of those who helped Pitman was
Timothy Healy, the present governor
'eneral of the. Irish Free state.
In letter sent to the annual festi- !
-al of the Pitman Fellowship. recently, !
fr. Healy declared that he himself had
written shorthand for so years, and
urfng Sir Isaac Pitman's lifetime had
Maintained a correspondence with him. !
About 1877 he suggested to Sir
saac that the Teacher" which In
hose early days was rather crude
Cookbook, required reforming. Sir
,aac then accepted from Mr.. Healy
ANY Illustrations for the new edition.
Sir Isaac was, as Mr.. Healy de-
AIRED, one Of the greatest men In his
,ntury.
Many amusing mistakes are record
in connection with the transcribing
shorthand notes. Thus Professor
Jackie was once made to comment
ION the greasy atmosphere" of Edin-
lrgh, whereas he had actually said
reezy."
The late Lord Carnarvon was once
ported to have said: "In these days
srgymen are expected to have the
sdom and learning of journeyman
ilor," whereas he had referred to
remy Taylor, the famous divine and
T1t-Bits.