Stenotype
ClassificationsTools and Equipment
Datelate 19th century
Made AtSt. Louis, Missouri, United States, North America
MediumPaper and bronze
Dimensions6 × 6 in. (15.2 × 15.2 cm)
Credit LineGift of Mrs. John W. Dunlap
Object number37088
DescriptionStenotypes are nifty inventions which allow trained users to write in concise shorthand at incredible speeds. They were introduced about the same time as the first commercial typewriters, but rather than having a key for every character of the English alphabet, they rely on different combinations of keystrokes to produce characters. This is the second iteration of Miles Bartholomew’s stenograph, manufactured by his company United States Stenograph Co. in St. Louis, Missouri. It was first patented in 1884 and made mostly aesthetic improvements on the first model. Devices like this greatly expanded the note-taking capacity of reporters. With further eureka moments along the way, modern day devices allow the fastest court stenographers to write at speeds of up to 375 words per minute.On View
Not on viewCollections
c. 1920
1916-1918
20th Century
early 21st Century
19th Century
19th Century
19th Century
19th Century