The History Of Writing Systems

History of Braille

Even though Braille isn’t an ancient writing system, I feel it’s essential to have it added to this list because it shows how the writing system, in general, is continuously improving.

Braille started out as a tactical way for soldiers to communicate safely at night in the 1800s A.D., giving it its name, “night writing.” Charles Barbier, who served in Napoleon Bonaparte’s French army, was the developer of this writing system. In 1821 Charles Barbier and Louis Braille met, and Louis Braille improved on Charles Barbier’s early stages of the usage of “Braille.” So Louis Braille is where the term “Braille” comes from.

What I find interesting about Braille is that it is derived from the Latin alphabet, although indirectly.