A Concise and Easy Method of Learning the Art of Shorthand Writing, Combining Amusement and Instruction.
Year: 1899

page_text: C
Date of Application, 20th June, 1899
0014
4000
Aasanted
01nt Ann
4000
A Concise and Easy Method of Learning the Art of Shorthand
Writing, Combining Amusement and Instruction.
ARTHUR WILLIAM THOMSON, 21, Ossian Road, Stroud Green, London, N.,
Shorthand Writer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of my invention is to provide means whereby the Kindergarten
system of object lessons may be utilized to simplify the mode of shorthand
instruction and render the same of interest to the student; and to this end I
employ a series of patterns or forms representing the different phonetic.letters
or shorthand characters and which are adapted to be used in conjunction
to form shorthand outlines in a similar manner to which the ordinary alphabetical
blocks are used to spell words.
A further object is to provide the consonant and vowel phonoforms and such
other phonoforms as may be found necessary, with light and dark sides represent-
ing corresponding light and heavy strokes for the light and hard sounds whereby
the number of separate or independent characters may be reduced without
impairing the efficiency of the appliance, and an appliance embodying a minimum
number of parts ensured, and also to provide an appliance which will serve to
afford amusement and interest during the course of instruction.
11
1000
A Concise and Easy Method of Learning the Art of Shorthand
Writing, Combining Amusement and Instruction.
I. ARTHUR WILLIAM THOMSON, of 21, Ossian Road, Stroud Green, London, in
the County of Middlesex, Shorthand Writer, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
-
This invention relates to educational appliances, and it consists of an improved
method of teaching and learning the art of shorthand writing.
According to my. invention I make use of the kindergarten system of object
lessons to simplify the mode of shorthand instruction and render the same of
interest to the student, and to this end I employ a series of blocks representing
different phonetic letters signs and characters, which for convenience I call
"phono forms." These may be made of wood, straw board or any other suitable
material.

page_text: A further object is to provide the consonant and vowel phono-forms and such
other phono-forms as may be deemed necessary with light and dark sides, repre-
senting light and dark strokes corresponding to soft and harsh sounds, whereby
the number of separate or independent phono-forms may be reduced without
impairing the efficiency of the appliance, and an appliance embodying a minimum
number of parts insured, and also to provide an appliance which will serve to afford
amusement and interest during the course of instruction.
In the accompanying drawing which shows by way of example some of
the blocks:-
Figure 1 shows two views of the obverse and reverse sides of a phono-form
representing a straight consonant. Figure 2 shows similar views of the
obverse and reverse sides of a phono-form representing a curved con-
sonant. Figure is a diagrammatic view, showing in dotted lines
and on a reduced scale, the straight consonant arranged to represent
different characters in accordance with the general principles of shorthand.
Figures 4 and 5 are similar views of the curved consonant arranged in like
manner. Figure 6 represents a circle, the dotted lines illustrating the manner of
employing the same in connection with a straight consonant stroke. Figure 7
shows two views of a hook or half circle, and illustrate two modes of using the
same in connection with a straight stroke consonant. Figure 8 shows similar
views of a hook and circle combined and illustrates two modes of using the same
in connection with a straight consonant. Figure 9 shows two views of the
obverse and reverse sides of a phono-form representing a dot vowel. Figure 10
shows similar views of a phoño-form representing a dash vowel. Figures 11
and 12 are views of two diphthong phono-forms. Figure 13 is a view of a com-
bination phono-form showing a backward stroke in connection with the circle as
an initial. Figure 14 is a view illustrating the same phono-form when used as
a terminal. Figure 15 is a view of a phono-form representing a stroke consonant
having an integral hook, and Figure 16 is a view illustrating the manner in which
my phono-forms or patterns may be arranged to form a phonetic word.
Referring to the drawings A designates the phono-form representing a straight
consonant which may be placed in the different positions as shown by dotted lines
in Figure 3 the obverse side and the reverse side a¹ being preferably painted or
colored, white and black respectively, so as to represent the light strokes made for
soft sounds, and the dark strokes for the hard or harsh sounds, but it will be
obvious that any other designating colours may be employed. The curved
consonant B (Figure 2) is also provided with a light obverse side and a dark.
reverse side b¹, and the Figures 4 and 5 show in dotted lines, the different posi-
tions in which it may be placed. The circle phono-form C shown in Figure G
may be provided with a flat edge c to fit closely against the side of a stroke
phono-form in order to produce a combination like character, well formed and
without break or having the appearance of being formed by integral characters.
The U hook phono-form D shown in Figure 7 may be employed in connection
with a stroke consonant form to represent à circle or a hook and may also be used
for vocalization in the-usual manner. Figure 8 shows a combined hook and circle
form E, and illustrates one manner in which the same may be employed. This
obviates the necessity of employing two different characters to represent the hook
and circle.
The dot vowel phono-form
shown in Figure 9 is provided with a light
obverse sidef and a dark reverse side f. The dash vowel 6 Figure 10 being simi-
larly provided with a light obverse side and a dark reverse side g'. The vowel
phono-forms are employed in the usual manner and placed in different positions
for the purpose of vocalization.
The Vand shaped diphthongs H and I (Figures 11 and 12) are adapted to be
used in any position or angle or upside down to represent words or in connection
with a consonant and also for vocalization in the usual manner.
Figure 13 shows a combination character K when used to commence an outline

page_text: and Figure 14 shows the same form when used to terminate an .outline. In
Figure 15 I have shown a straight consonant A, with an integral hook D, this
construction may be employed, if desired, although the hook D. Figure 7, added
to the straight form A (Figure 1) in an upright position, has the same result, it
however is expedient, wherever possible, to use the hook D Figure 7 as this may
be placed in different positions to represent different letters.
The manner of using my phono-forms will be readily understood by reference to
Figure 16 of the drawings. In this figure I have shown four phono-forms two
straight consonants A, a Ŭ hook D, and a circle C, which represents, the phonetic
outline for the word "bricks."
From the above description, read in conjunction with the accompany-
ing drawing, the construction and mode of operation of my invention will be
readily understood and it will be seen that it provides a simple and effective means
whereby the kindergarten system of instruction may be conveniently used in
the study of shorthand. It also provides an effective method for instructing
young, beginners, as interest and amusement is afforded during the course of
instruction, riz., by moving the forms or patterns in different positions and in
changing combinations of parts and assembling and dissembling them to form
different words.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
(1) A series of blocks representing the different shorthand letters and characters,
arranged and adapted to facilitate the teaching and learning the art of short-
hand writing, as and for the purpose set forth.
(2) A series of blocks representing the different shorthand letters and characters
for facilitating the teaching and learning of the art of shorthand writing, the blocks
representing light and heavy strokes or signs for the light and hard sounds being
coloured or partially coloured on the obverse and reverse sides with different
colours so that the same block can be employed to represent a number of strokes
or signs, thereby reducing the number of parts, as set forth.
Dated this 20th day of March 1900
ROBERT E. PHILLIPS, Assoc.M.Inst.C.E., M.I.Mech. E.,
Chartered Patent Agent, 70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.