'Henry Louis Gehrig' Autograph

[CW]

Originally Posted by David Atkatz

It has nothing to do with shorthand and computers. It has all to do with schools no longer requiring that kids learn to write.

This, BTW, was how Gehrig wrote when he was fourteen years old:

First off, that's a beautiful piece!

Secondly, computers, keyboards, and smartphones are a major factor in the death of cursive writing. Coincidentally, my older sister wrote an article about it for a local magazine. Not trying to start a debate on this, as I could probably care less, but the effect of computers on our youth's handwriting skills (or lack thereof) is quite obvious.

[David Atkatz]

Do you have kids, Chuck? Anyone with younger children will tell you that kids are no longer taught "cursive" (what used to be called "script") in school.

It's kinda difficult for my son's iPad to erode a skill he never had.

[CW]

And why exactly are kids no longer taught handwriting skills?

Because they can do all their "writing" on a computer and keyboard.

To say, "It has nothing to do with shorthand and computers," is simply false.

Your son's iPad did not erode a skill he never had, it eroded the need for teachers to teach handwriting skills.

[David Atkatz]

Fair enough.

[packs]

Cursive still has its magical powers. A document is not official for some unknown reason unless your letters are squiggly and connected. Print just will not do.

[thecatspajamas]

Originally Posted by packs

Cursive still has its magical powers. A document is not official for some unknown reason unless your letters are squiggly and connected. Print just will not do.

Reminds me of when I was signing mortgage papers for my home which required me to sign my full name, which I don't believe I had done since about the third grade. In looking at my signatures, the lack of practice since was evident in that it did appear that a third-grader had scrawled my first name next to my usual signature.

In the same vein though, I have a very neat block lettering style to my usual handwriting that I owe largely to my freshman Drafting class that I took while studying engineering. Something about having to "draw" letters really stuck with me, and has served me well in the years since. At the time, I was frustrated that the class didn't involve more CAD work, but I think the lettering practice has served me far better in the years since.