Writing round

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In shorthand, the term writing round denotes the recording of a stenogram in alternating rounds of the stenographers.

The Englishman Thomas Waghorn tried to get a patent for his shorthand system that would make the transfer in fair copy and the associated delay superfluous. 15 stenographers were required for his new shorthand, but they did not have to write in shorthand.

Seven of these "stenographers" sat in the front row, another seven in a row behind. They were all supervised by a "conductor" with a long staff. When the dictation began, the first man would touch the pointer and start jotting down as many words as possible. On the fourth or fifth word, the second man in the first row would be touched, who would then start writing. After the seventh scribe, the first would be tapped again. Everyone would have to give the written sheet to the man in the row behind him and then wait for his turn to come again.

The seven "stenographers" in the second row would have to quickly put the individual notes together. A legible record would be ready immediately after the end of the dictation.

Thomas Waghorn admitted that his system was unwieldy for the office, but saw no reason why it could not be used in court. When he was denied a patent, he wrote a book entitled "The bitter, bitter outcry of the rejected inventors".