There is a day for everything and January 23rd is the day to recognize the good ol’ handwriting.
Sad to say that many of us have pretty bad handwriting. After all, what do we need good handwriting for when we use computers? You actually use it a lot. The pen industry is still going strong. So why celebrate such a day? Let’s see.
In 1737 on this day John Hancock was born in Braintree, Mass. Little did anyone know that his name would become synonymous with the signature. He was the first person to eagerly sign the United States of America’s Declaration of Independence with a large flourishing display – He wanted King George to see it clearly! So now, when you are asked to sign something, you could be asked to give your John Hancock.
The way we write today is not how it always was. The earliest known writings were the well known cave men drawings. These drawings that can still be seen today eventually became symbols to represent thoughts and actions. The first alphabet was created in the Middle East around 1600 B.C. These earlier that developed and spread were read right to left until the Greeks switched that around sometime around 400 B.C. Many cultures still read and write right to left. The original markings that formed the alphabet were all uppercase letters as can be seen in many Greek manuscripts. This was the case until 600 A.D. when more streamlined writing instruments were developed that could make the finer lines that the lowercase letters needed.
The first pen was the stylus which the Greeks developed out of bone, ivory, or the metal of the day. They coated stone tablets with wax and scratched into the wax to document events. It was actually the Greeks who invented the written letter (a tablet written on and actually sent to someone).
The Chinese were some of the earliest ones that we know of that began to develop ink out of a unique recipe of lamp oil, the gelatin of donkey skin, soot, and musk. Archeologists believe that they were doing this earlier than 2500 B.C. but did not disclose the invention to somewhere around 1200 B.C. due to the secretive nature of their culture. Other cultures around the globe began to use berries, minerals, and plants as a basis to form ink. This also gave color variety that was found naturally. Over time the use of colored ink was mainly only used by the state churches, governments, and the wealthy due to the immense time and cost it took to prepare it.
Paper was developed around 2000 B.C. out of papyrus and parchment. Many examples of this can be seen in Greek and Egyptian cultures. Wood paper closer to what we use today was invented in China around 105 A.D. and once made known in Japan in 700 A.D. it spread through the hands of the Arabs and the Spanish to the rest of the world with it taking over Europe by the 14th century. Leading us to today’s paper.
Bamboo stems and other similar plants were turned into the first fountain pens around 2000B.C. with the invention of paper. It wasn’t until 700 A.D. that the more familiar quill pin was used. These quills were taken from geese, crows, eagles, hawks, turkeys and swans which were more expensive. The average quill only lasted one week and had to be replaced. The creation of quills became an art form and was in much demand as more people began to write. The first lead pencil was developed in 1790’s by the French and Austrailians. A metal pointed “quill” was developed in the 1800’s which began the ball rolling toward the first fountain pen in 1884. It wasn’t until 1916 that the ballpoint pen was presented.
Handwriting which began as cave drawings and developed over time as a way to communicate historical events progressed into an art form that as the centuries went was literally in every person’s hands. When you look over the various styles of writing, you can see trends toward the sweeping, elegant styles that many of the eras remind us of to the plain block styles that you begin to see in business situations. Penmanship became a very important subject in the schools because there once was a time that you were not taught how to communicate this way.
In today’s world we are given vast opportunities that though exciting and efficient have pulled handwriting out of our hands once again. The invention of typewriters and computers have eliminated the focus on penmanship and handwriting. When was the last time you wrote a letter? When was the last time you wrote notes in class? Let’s take a chance on National Handwriting Day to revisit a losing art form and have fun with it.
Here are a few ideas that you can do on January 23rd to celebrate National Handwriting Day and make John Hancock proud.
· Write a letter to a friend, family, the President, a soldier, or someone you admire.
· Decorate a cake and have everyone sign their name with frosting.
· Write a poem
· Learn about handwriting analysis
· Check out the books on handwriting at the local library
· Write a letter to John Hancock
· Create an autograph book and have people sign it.
· Start a journal or diary
· Only write memos or address envelopes and let others see the personal touch.
· Find a pen pal and begin to write letters
· See how the scribes did it and try copying other works
· Give the gift of a pen as appreciation
Have fun on this day and get reacquainted with the old friends: pen and paper.
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Great article, I’ll link to it later. You can read more about national handwriting day, and how to defend yourself from forgery here: National Handwriting Day
Finally, it being realized at least how important handwriting is.
However , though campaigns, and whatever days are very popular means of drawing attention to a certain problem, it is everything , but effective.
As a European , I always have been horrified, that instead of handwriting from first day of elementary education , students are consequently taught writing block letters, what is absolutely ridiculous. By the time handwriting is introduced it’s too late. Handwriting teaches discipline, it is fine motoric control of the brain , the hand, fingers, it is an ” all in one activity”
I also doubt, present day teachers at all would possess skill of proper handwriting, therefore doubtful they could teach it. The lack of teaching proper handwriting from elementary school firs grade is just one major mistake in education, major is attitude that school is “fun”, let’s just not challenge those “poor kids” As a result it is obvious they have no discipline, no focus, no desire , can’t write, can’t read, can’t calculate can’t retain information.
The whole system should be turned upside down, otherwise the effort will remain on the level of just another marketing campaign.
Thanks.
I remember taking a penmanship class in grade school. By the time I was in junior high school, they were no longer teaching it. Such a shame. It needs to come back.
I love fountain pens to write with. The way it feels when you write. It make me want to try to write better. And take more time out to write someone a letter. I think gettting a letter in the mail would be a happy surprise. When I wanted to give my kids a special message I wrote them a letter.
My friends and family look forward to receiving personal cards and notes that I send by snail mail as they call it today . It gives them a personl touch that in today’s fast and instant everything world someone cares enough to take time and write them the old fashion way.
I don’t have the best handwriting in the world but it certainly is readable. I have a German Bible dated 1788 which has handwriting at the front in German that is dated the 11 day of May 1806. I can read very little of it because it is written in German but I want anyone reading this post to know that the penmanship is among the best if not the very best I have ever seen in my whole life. It looks like it was written with a fine pointed quill or a fine point fountain pen. I would love to have a translation of this handwriting.
Another fine example of handwriting can be found in a letter written in 1851 from my great-great-great grandfather to my great-great grandfather after my gggrandfather had migrated westward leaving Pennsylvania. The fine handwriting adds to the value of this family treasure.
I interview applicants for the USAF Academy and I am astounded at the range of penmanship skills exhibited by the applicants. The quality varies from unreadable to very good. So some of these students are taking the time and effort to learn and use good penmanship. Notwithstanding that many physicians have poor penmanship I consider good penmanship as a sign of a well educated person.
Hoorah for Handwriting Day! Too bad it isn’t on a weekday when school is in session. I am an occupational therapist (OT) who works in an elementary school. I and my fellow therapists were not trained to teach handwriting nor apparently were the teachers. OT’s working in schools should be treating kids who have underlying motor or visual deficits that interfere with them being able to produce legible handwriting (among many other things we work on). Unfortunately we spend a great deal of time working with many students who were never taught how to write properly. This includes everything from posture, appropriate size desks and chairs, pencil/pen grip, letter formation, etc. We have long advocated for a district wide handwriting curriculum (we like “Handwriting Without Tears”) as teachers do whatever they choose which often amounts to little or nothing. Each year as students enter a new grade, students from up to five different classes join to make a new class (for example students from five different first grades are mixed into five different second grades). Most of the curriculum is mandated so they do have similiar background when it comes to core academics; however handwriting can be taught in any style the teacher chooses with little thought as to where letters should start or end or be spaced.This confounds the difficulty and problems with handwriting. In addition to asking the district to adopt a mandated handwriting program we have also asked for more OTs as we are spending time in kingergarten classes and receiving multiple referrals for handwriting issues. I do teach handwriting but my qualifications as an OT or my 6.5 years of education are not required in order to do this. We just need someone who pays attention, corrects errors, models appropriate writing and has the student(s) practice. If there are underlying problems we can work on developing intrinsic musculature of the fingers, posture, and compensatory techniques (as for low muscle tone, vision issues, etc.) however that is not how we are used much of the time. I could help so many more kids if teachers spent just a bit more time teaching handwriting and if they all followed the same approach. If I were able to go into every kindergarten and first grade class a couple of times a week I could really help with development of fine motor skills, provide stategies to help kids benefit more from their education such as “Brain Gym” and movement activities to help the kids decrease stress, pay attention, be on task, etc. So in the end I’m all for increased focus on proper handwriting.
I am, by the way, aware that teachers are asked to do more and more every year and thus it is true that they have little time to teach handwriting. This is indeed another problem that confounds the current issue. But I do strongly believe that having 10-15 minutes of handwriting instruction on three days per week during kindergarten through fourth grade could make a great deal of differnce in students’ long term success. Kids who struggle with the motoric aspect of writing will not write as much or as creatively as students who can write legiblly and efficiently. This dominos over time and last I knew most students still have to write long handwritten essays on many upperlevel tests such at the SATs.
RSM
I have always admired beautiful handwriting. I am left handed and have never liked the upside-down posture that was taught to left handers in school. I taught myself one summer after seeing my Mother make coil after coil on unlined paper I realized that practice was the key. I created several of my own “fonts” during my high school years that received raves from friends and awed my teachers. In my early 20’s I discovered Scripto book on Calligraphy. The lettering looked so fantastic but I never thought I could do it until I found a $25 4-session community education class. The first night’s class work was a disaster but I was determined. I practiced day and night and finally found a left handed pen with a fine chiseled nib. By the 4th and final class I was the teacher’s pet and class star. That was 10 years ago.
I type all day to make my living. 2 years ago I broke my right wrist when I slipped and fell on ice. Then I learned I had Breast Cancer in my left breast. They performed a lumpectomy and removed 14 lymph nodes. After chemo and radiation I developed lymphedema which limits the use of my left hand. So I say…
Don’t put it off. If you want to improve your handwriting, make circles and practice now. Take a calligraphy class to learn more about traditional italic letter formation. Slow down. Start a journal or write long letters to yourself, your spouse, your children and your grandchildren with a good pen and acid-free paper. Generations to come will treasure these and your energy in the handwriting will allow them to know you better than just seeing you in old photographs.
Trust me, I’m going to dig out those pens and ink cartridges I bought and start again. I can still use my hand and I am going to live a long time.
Blessings to all who read this.
Amy Sheppeck
Minneapolis MN
Wow! I never knew there was a day devoted to handwriting!
To my own Mom, Sandy and to Barbara, who was my other Mom..this day is for you! They are both in Heaven now…I am sure their version of Heaven is a Stationary store that has all manner of papers and pens & sealing wax and a nice selection of inks! Both ladies insisted on using Osmiroid pens!
Ever notice that lovers of pen and paper have strange addictions to office supplies, too?! Shh! me, too!! I am a certified pen freak~
To them both: Thank you for giving me beautiful examples of handwriting that made me want to excel with my own “hand”. I do! I love lettering…(an “A” in Lettering in college is one of my proudest acheivements..given by a well respected teacher who knew his stuff!) I enjoy doing calligraphy and developing my own fonts. By hand.
Maybe in this day and age I can make a real living with my lettering skills!
I am afraid that handwriting/letter writing will fade away if not encouraged! Our 8 year old son is learning from me, not at school, as they do not even teach it!!! Really!! He does have the beginnings of a nice hand, too!
So, I will remember this day next year and perhaps bring it to our school’s attention. What happens if the grid goes out, and the computers crash? What will all the techies do then? I will be writing with pen and paper….
p.s. kuddos to RSM and Eleonora
In second grade, my teachers noticed I was having a very difficult time learning how to write in cursive. A child psychologist discovered I had developmental coordination disorder. My father had me enrolled in typing lessons. Without the advent of the personal computer, I would never have graduated from college. I prefer technology.
Hand-writing is fast becoming a lost art - we really must try to keep it alive. I love to write by hand - anything from shopping lists to short stories, and I have a collection of fountain pens to suit every need and mood. However, sadly, I found out recently that many younger people of today do not even know what a fountain pen or bottle of ink is……. I guess handwriting is no longer taught in schools ????? PITY……..
It’s wonderful to see some fellow old-school thinkers out there like myself. Sad to say but we are becoming a very small minority. Taking the time to pen a letter shows the recipient so much more than just another email. I truly enjoyed reading the responses of others.
I was taught many years ago that good penmanship was important in my daily classes and studies. To this date, I continue to hand write my personal correspondence, cards, notes and either every week, or every other week, I send handwritten notes and cards to friends and others that I choose to make contact with, I still love the hand written thank you notes! Although the computer has brought a new dimension to our written/typed word, it also has a place in our lives. The equation that appears to be missing today, is how to determine whether to choose a written note or typewritten one. For me it is an easy choice! I hope a lot of the younger group, growing up more with the computer way, has a parent who will teach them the appropriate choice between the two at an early age. Each of us determines for ourselves…thanks!
I went through school when proper penmanship was emphasized. I have no regrets for having had to “dip my pen” in an inkwell sitting in that hole in the top right hand corner of the desk. I.m proud to say folks do not have to squint and guess what I have written. I wish that it was still stressed in the schools. It truly makes you concentrate better on the task at hand.
I attended Sacred Heart School in Roslindale, MA. (It is a section of Boston.)Penmanship was always stressed. Palmer Method was the course we were taught. Sister Mary DiPazzi , fourth grade teacher, taught penmanship. Palmer Method held a national penmanship contest every year. They discontinued the contest after Sr. DiPazzi and one of her students had won the contest 39 years in a row. The company sent notice to the school/parish that she was unbeatable. I do not know if they started the contest after she retired. I never won the award, but my one of my older sisters did, and the other writes so beautifully you would have thought she had too. Her teaching and Palmer Method increased my penmanship skills immensely. I wish someone could do the the same for my 15 year-old. I can barely read his cursive, and you shouldn’t have to rely on computers for all written word. I graduated from Sacred Heart School in 1971, and Sr. DiPazzi had retired before then. Palmer Method should have history of the national contests.
Scott, I am very impressed that a child psychologist would even recognize developmental coordination disorder or dyspraxia as it’s also known. Too bad he/she didn’t refer you to a good occupational therapist to fully evalutate and treat you. Keyboarding certainly is a good alternative for people with dysgraphia (a learning disability that essentially refers to inablity to write legibly) and I have recommended it at times. There is so much great technology out there. I believe we still need to be able to write with a pen or pencil for some tasks, even if the writing is slow and labored to make it legible. I still need to write down phone numbers with names or e-mail addresses if I don’t have my laptop handy. I also might have to jot a quick note to a teacher if she is not at her desk and I am always leaving notes on the kitchen counter for my husband, daughters or myself. Hopefully you were/are able to get appropriate accomodations for school including use of a computer for test taking. I have found that many with developmental coordination disorder also have a very difficult time learning to keyboard as it takes a fair amount of coordination to keyboard accurately and efficiently. Fortunately we now have voice recognition, eyescanning, etc. for those who can’t write or keyboard. Technology has opened up a whole world to people with significant disabilities. Good luck!