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U.S. Stenograph Co. Stenographic Typewriter

Specifications

U.S. Stenograph Co. Stenographic Typewriter

Category

Communication

Classification

CHENHALL - Tools & Equipment for Communication - Written Communication T&E - Writing Devices - Typewriter

Object Origin
Manufacturer:

U.S. Stenograph Co.

Date Manufactured:

1882-1990

Patent Date:

May 20, 1879

Patent Date:

April 04, 1882

Physical Characteristics

Object Description: Manual portable stenotype. Black metal frame with a gold pinstripe accent around the edges and a red and gold design in the front corners.There are nine (9) round unlabeled brown keys, square black space key, paper roll holder stands straight up while typing but folds down for storage. Behind the keys is spools and gears including a silver metal bar on the viewer's left side which holds the ink ribbon. Text is engraved below the ribbon. A brown p...

Materials:

metal

Marks: "PATENDED / MAY 20'' 1879 / APR 4' 1882" Serial #3052

Measurements: Object:
    Height: 2.25 in, Width: 8 in, Depth: 8 in
    Weight: 1.8 lbs

Credit

Gift of Herman Dege, 38.172

Display Status

Not On View

U.S. Stenograph Co. Stenographic Typewriter

About: U.S. Stenograph Co. Stenographic Typewriter

About: U.S. Stenograph Co. Stenographic Typewriter

Stenography, or shorthand writing, became popular in the 19th century for quickly capturing speech, especially in legal and business settings. Miles Bartholomew, an official court reporter from Belleville, Illinois, invented the first successful shorthand machine in 1877. His machine, which created dots and dashes like Morse code, was patented in 1879 and 1884. Although it was not successful financially, it gained some use, and schools adopted it. Bartholomew remained a strong advocate for machine shorthand, believing it would eventually surpass pen shorthand. The U.S. Stenograph Company, founded in 1890, built on Bartholomew’s work with the introduction of the stenographic typewriter. This machine combined regular typing with shorthand, allowing stenographers to write much faster than on a standard typewriter. The first model, released in 1890, enabled stenographers to write up to 200 words per minute, a significant improvement. It quickly became the tool of choice for court reporters, journalists, and businesses needing fast documentation. Today, stenography continues to be essential in legal, medical, and business fields for quick and accurate transcription.

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Copyright information

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