Stenotype Shorthand machine
Maker and role
The Stenotype Company, Manufacturer
Production date
Circa 1920s
See full details
Object detail
Accession number
1978.80.1
Maker
Description
Stenotype shorthand machine No.3. This unit comprises of a black metal box with a row of 10 split keys in the front. There are 4 more keys in front of the main row. As each key is depressed, a paper roll mounted at the back of the machine starts to roll and print. A black ribbon runs in front of the paper roll. Each time a key is depressed, a small metal printing hammer strikes the paper roll and creates a print. The unit is quite compact and portable.
Brief History
The Stenotype Shorthand machine was the invention of Ward Stone Ireland of the United States. Ireland had learned shorthand and typing and worked as a court reporter. After applying for several patents in April 1910, Ireland organized a partnership with R.M. Bowen. In 1910 the Universal Investment Company was formed which changed its name to Universal Stenotype Company in 1911.
The earliest production Stenotype was made in August 1912 and was sold in early September. After three months nearly 3000 machines were assembled and sold, with Ireland holding classes to instruct Stenotype teachers. The machine was sold only through business schools, and about 160 schools throughout the USA taught the use of the Stenotype. It seems that Gilby's Business College in Willis Street, Wellington had the sole New Zealand rights for teaching and distribution.
Around May 1913, the Universal Stenotype Company changed its name to The Stenotype Company. At the same time the firm negotiated for a new plant at Mars Hill near Indianapolis, Indiana, where they built a new factory. Stenotype production resumed there in about May 1914.
The Stenotype Company manufactured rifle grenades, bombs and other munitions for the United States after the country entered World War I in 1917. It also continued to manufacture the Stenotype. On 14 November 1918 the company was forced into receivership after the United States government failed to pay its bills. The factory in Indianapolis closed in 1919.
Ward Ireland reasoned that most words in English begin and end with consonants with vowels in between. He reduced the alphabet to 16 letters and used coded combinations of those letters to replace the missing ones. The fourfingers of the lefthand covered a group of seven initial consonants on seven keys: S T K P W H R. The left thumb operated two keys with A and O. A large space key was centered between the left and right hands and could be reached with the forefingers of either hand. The ten right-hand-operated keys were the final consonants and repeated some of the letters of the left hand. Right hand keys were F R P B L G T S D S. The right thumb covered the vowels E and U. Letters also stood for numbers by means of a 'number bar' which stretched the width of the total keyboard. It printed an asterisk to indicate when letters on the same line were to be read as numbers.
More informaton is available here:
http://www.aquaporin4.com/etcetera/ETC.39.pdf pp. 6-9
The earliest production Stenotype was made in August 1912 and was sold in early September. After three months nearly 3000 machines were assembled and sold, with Ireland holding classes to instruct Stenotype teachers. The machine was sold only through business schools, and about 160 schools throughout the USA taught the use of the Stenotype. It seems that Gilby's Business College in Willis Street, Wellington had the sole New Zealand rights for teaching and distribution.
Around May 1913, the Universal Stenotype Company changed its name to The Stenotype Company. At the same time the firm negotiated for a new plant at Mars Hill near Indianapolis, Indiana, where they built a new factory. Stenotype production resumed there in about May 1914.
The Stenotype Company manufactured rifle grenades, bombs and other munitions for the United States after the country entered World War I in 1917. It also continued to manufacture the Stenotype. On 14 November 1918 the company was forced into receivership after the United States government failed to pay its bills. The factory in Indianapolis closed in 1919.
Ward Ireland reasoned that most words in English begin and end with consonants with vowels in between. He reduced the alphabet to 16 letters and used coded combinations of those letters to replace the missing ones. The fourfingers of the lefthand covered a group of seven initial consonants on seven keys: S T K P W H R. The left thumb operated two keys with A and O. A large space key was centered between the left and right hands and could be reached with the forefingers of either hand. The ten right-hand-operated keys were the final consonants and repeated some of the letters of the left hand. Right hand keys were F R P B L G T S D S. The right thumb covered the vowels E and U. Letters also stood for numbers by means of a 'number bar' which stretched the width of the total keyboard. It printed an asterisk to indicate when letters on the same line were to be read as numbers.
More informaton is available here:
http://www.aquaporin4.com/etcetera/ETC.39.pdf pp. 6-9
Marks
STENOTYPE / TRADE MARK / THE MACHINE WAY IN SHORTHAND / No 3 Printed
STC / TRADE MARK / REG. U.S. PAT. OFF. Printed
MANUFACTURED BY / THE STENOTYPE COMPANY / INDIANAPOLIS, U.S.A. / PAT. JAN. 3RD 1911 - APR. 1ST 1913 - OTHER PATENTS PENDING Maker's Plate
STC / TRADE MARK / REG. U.S. PAT. OFF. Printed
MANUFACTURED BY / THE STENOTYPE COMPANY / INDIANAPOLIS, U.S.A. / PAT. JAN. 3RD 1911 - APR. 1ST 1913 - OTHER PATENTS PENDING Maker's Plate
Media/Materials
Credit Line
The Stenotype Company. Circa 1920s. Stenotype Shorthand machine, 1978.80.1. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
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