Reply #106: Writing styles(methods)have not really changed much... [View All]

over time. For example, my grandfather(b. 1865)learned a style called Copperplate. When well done, it is beautiful.

Father(b. 1900)also learned Copperplate.

I started school in 1940 and began writing a style called the Palmer Method in about 3rd grade. Palmer is a very simple style.

All three generations learned to write in ink...at first with cheap dip pens(had built in inkwells in the desktops). You sorta felt grown up when you got your first fountain pen with a good nib in it.

Neither Copperplate nor Palmer can be decently written with ball point pens which made their first appearance about 1946. The early pens leaked more than cheap fountain pens.

In both Copperplate and Palmer, you had to choose your nib type which had to match your writing style. Students were strongly encouraged to develop attractive and legible handwriting. Many, but not all, did.

A well-written letter can communicate better than a quick email or text message. As can be seen from the above posts, we are losing the ability to communicate with each other.

Good writing, calligraphy if you prefer, is definitely an art form.