Cursive Writing

[Chubbo]

Cursive writing

It’s interesting, to review my relative’s cursive writing. Dad, and one of my maternal aunts, practiced their cursive writing diligently. My aunt’s cursive writing, equaled, or bettered writing found in Hallmark’s greeting cards. Dad’s writing, was pretty, but only average for his time.

I have samples of my relative's writing, and cherish them dearly. My quality of cursive writing has sadly deteriorated. Beautiful, cursive writing has become a lost art, that I fear will never be recovered.

 

[waffles]

Stupid proles are happy proles. Keep socializing and indoctrination with your extra free time. We'll see what happens after the EMP.

If having to print instead of write cursive is in the top thousand of problems after an EMP attack I think we're doing pretty well.

 

[TXBryan]

The Hoover Dam was built by people with #2 pencils/note pads and slide rules.

Good point! So was the atomic bomb and the Saturn V rocket. Bet most of the handwritten notes, in lab notebooks back then, are written in cursive. And I still have my slide-rule - probably destined for a museum.

We adopted a child when I was 50 and our son is now a freshman in high school. He cannot write, or read, cursive worth a darn. I used to lament that I could not provide the same kind of idyllic childhood for him that I enjoyed. Just not possible these days I'm afraid. Then it occurred to me; that would be a disservice, even if possible, for what is it about my childhood in the 60s that would prepare my son for his future?

I sure wouldn't want to be 15 today but he does well in school, is bright and inquisitive, and seems to be preparing well for his future. His computer, and typing, skills are relatively more important than cursive - though it still drives me a little nuts he can barely sign his name.

His mother and I can, and do, tease him about it being a secret code.

 

[Bro. Dave]

Probably like most of you, I was taught the Palmer method of handwriting with the white lettered exemplars on green strips around the top of the classroom above the chalkboard.

Over the years I've seen some of my considerably older friends whose handwriting showed evidence of the older Spencerian method with ornate swirls and flourishes.

Ironically, my single semester of high school typing (that was styled "Personal Typing") stood me in good stead during the transition to keyboards. I still have to stop and look when typing numbers, sadly.

 

[Greyman50]

Here you are, read this.

 

[kamloops67]

The Hoover Dam was built by people with #2 pencils/note pads and slide rules.

And 96 people were killed during construction of that dam

 

[TX-Dennis]

My son graduated high school last year and is now studying chemical engineering. He learned to write in script. He can tell time on an old-fashioned clock. He can do basic math without a calculator. But, he did not go to our local public schools which are pretty dismal. I remember his second grade teacher telling me that talking to Caleb wasn't like talking to other kids. She said he had the vocabulary and conversational skills of a tiny adult.

I know quite a few bright youngsters, though, who do attend public schools. A bright kid will succeed even in a bad school. It's the less bright kids who suffer.

 

[arjay]

I had a cousin with a great artistic talent who started her work life as a teacher and in her thirties worked as a calligrapher for hallmark. It was ideal for her but that was 40 years ago. Do they even use calligraphers anymore or just software?

 

[Rifleman200-10X]

Cursive, yep, I still write that way, but I can truly see why it's dying out. Some people's cursive writing is nearly intelligible, but you can usually sort out their printing. How about a doctor's shorthand prescription writing??? I for one would rather have some clearly printed or typed prescription, rather than some illegible scribble.

 

[steelslaver]

The Hoover Dam was built by people with #2 pencils/note pads and slide rules.

Ya in 1931.

The Pyramids built by people who used hieroglyphics and bronze tools 4450 years ago

Not a single slide rule was used to sent a space ship and robot crawler to explore Mars and all the blue prints were printed

Your point???

Back in the early 70s I took a couple college drafting courses which required printing. I pretty much quit cursive after that, except for my barely legible signature. With as much practice as went into cursive you can print every bit as fast as using cursive and have everyone able to read it. Taking time to think about what your writing is more important than speed anyway. But, if your worried about speed, then 30 words per minute is fast in cursive and really really slow typing. I have not use a slip stick since HS. Drafting boards and tools are approaching their twilight years too. Remember T squares. I still have one of those somewhere.

 

[moosedog]

Dumb them down and you will control them more easily.

 

[375hh1973]

When I got to high school (I'm 47) the teachers wanted papers that they could read. They didn't care whether it was cursive, print, or done on a computer. I chose printing.

Then when I was in the Navy, everything was block print. 4

By the time I was in college, everything was on MS Word.

So yeah, I have no use for cursive. Someone mentioned a Mastodon gun, I tend to agree.

When I have to sign something I scribble BDP_____.

Its scribble, but its MINE

 

[Onomea]

Here you are, read this.View attachment 533332

Received of Mathias Huckleberry six and 75/100 dollars in full for Joesph Tateum for 12 days work at 50 cents per day this the 13th April 1850

William Jones Robert Wiginton

75¢ signing bonus?

 

[Rifleman200-10X]

I built my first "from scratch" muzzleloader, a reasonably good example of a Leman indian trade rifle, back in the late 70's without a single power tool other than an old all metal Craftsman 1/4" drill. Chisels, rasps, scrapers, a mallet, and sandpaper. I still build muzzleloaders.....but now I have 3 metal lathes, 2 milling machines, bandsaws, Dynafiles, and a myriad of other tools. Same thing, pretty much. Not a thing wrong with "a better, faster way".

 

[outta_ammo]

It's a shame that matchlocks no longer seem relevant to so many people.

 

[Rifleman200-10X]

When I got to high school (I'm 47) the teachers wanted papers that they could read. They didn't care whether it was cursive, print, or done on a computer. I chose printing.

Then when I was in the Navy, everything was block print. 4

By the time I was in college, everything was on MS Word.

So yeah, I have no use for cursive. Someone mentioned a Mastodon gun, I tend to agree.

When I have to sign something I scribble BDP_____.

Its scribble, but its MINE

Wow, a Mastodon gun. That may prove to be more interesting than a "what caliber bear gun" post. I recently sold a .577 Nitro Express that likely would do the trick. 700 grain bullet, and 135 grains of 4350 will get their attention! (And yours when you pull the trigger).

 

[GypsmJim]

My cursive skills have slipped into the realm of unintelligible jibberish...I have to print notes to myself, or I can't read them...My Mom could still write at the age of 98 in the same beautiful handwriting she used her entire life...

I ignore textspeak......Ben

When I'm in a hurry, my handwriting suffers. There are times when I can't read a word or 2, but it's a rare occurrence.

But I was taught how to do it and I still know how. If its necessary and I write with purpose, I CAN make my handwriting absolutely perfect. If it isn't perfect its just because I was lazy that moment.

Now, I'm talking about writing notes for myself. If I write notes for my employees or my family, and its important (isn't it always), you can be sure my grammire and spilling and penmashoop is 100%.

 

[Muss Muggins]

And 96 people were killed during construction of that dam

And a dog . . .

 

[31FordA]

I still use cursive, it’s much easier when making notes. My reports are in block print. I never learned to type beyond “hunt and peck”, I actually flunked the one semester of typing we had in high school. I’m much faster with pen and paper.

When we learned to write in cursive in second grade it was a big deal because we were learning to write like grown ups. Sister Alice Regina made sure every one of us earned a penmanship award. Fear is a wonderful motivator.

As far as young people these days many of the one’s I deal with can’t even print intelligibly. Don’t even get me started on their spelling. Sister Alice would not be amused.

 

[Greyman50]

LOL, Doctors writing, daughter is Med. Surg. R.N. married to a surgeon. They get wound up talking about signatures…….