Take a Closer Look
Who here knows what this is?
What is it made out of?
How is it different from the pens we use today?
Handwriting Through History
Quills were the main writing tool in the Western world from the 6th to the 19th century! They are made from bird feathers that have been sharpened to a pointed nib, allowing them to be used as pens. Unlike pens today, quills don’t store ink inside them, instead, they are dipped in ink many times throughout the writing process.
Before the invention of the telephone, the most common way for people to keep in touch with their long distance friends was to write them letters. Because of this, it was important for their handwriting to be neat and easy to read. During the Victorian era it became compulsory for children aged 5-10 to go to school. Victorian school children were taught to write in cursive and having good handwriting was seen as a sign that someone was well educated.
Discussion
Do you still practice writing in class?
Have you ever written a letter?
What other ways do we have of keeping in touch with our friends that the Victorians may not have had?