Palmer Method
Encyclopedia
The Palmer Method of penmanship
instruction was developed and promoted by Austin Palmer
in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It soon became the most popular handwriting system in the United States
.
Under it, students were taught to adopt a uniform system of cursive writing with rhythmic motions. Left-handers were usually made to use their right hands. The method developed around 1888 and was introduced in his 1894 book Palmer's Guide to Business Writing
. Palmer's method involved 'muscle motion' in which the more proximal muscles of the arm were used for movement, rather than allowing the fingers to move in writing. In spite of opposition from the major textbook companies, this textbook
enjoyed great success: in 1912, 1 million copies were sold throughout the country. The method won awards, including the Gold Medal at the Panama Pacific Exposition in San Francisco
, California
, in 1915, and the Gold Medal at the Sesquicentennial Exposition
in Philadelphia
, Pennsylvania
, in 1926.
Proponents of the Palmer Method emphasized its plainness and speed, that it was much faster than the laborious Spencerian Method, and allowed the writer to effectively compete with the typewriter
.http://www.miller-mccune.com/culture-society/handwriting-is-history-6540/ To educators, the Method's advocates emphasized regimentation, and that the Method would thus be useful in schools to increase discipline and character, and could even reform delinquents.http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/01/23/sunday/main7274525.shtml
Palmer's style fell out of popularity and was replaced by a movement to teach children manuscript
before teaching them cursive
, in order to provide them with a means of written expression as soon as possible and thus develop writing skills.
The style is now experiencing renewed attention, from those working in facilitated communication
for the disabled. Because the Palmer method has a focus on shoulder and arm movements, it is helpful for many with limited movement of the fingers.
Penmanship
Penmanship is the technique of writing with the hand using a writing instrument. The various generic and formal historical styles of writing are called hands, whilst an individual personal style of penmanship is referred to as handwriting....
instruction was developed and promoted by Austin Palmer
Austin Norman Palmer
Austin Norman Palmer innovated the field of penmanship with the development of the Palmer method of script.-External links:**, including scans of the January 1932 issue of Palmer's American Penman...
in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It soon became the most popular handwriting system in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Under it, students were taught to adopt a uniform system of cursive writing with rhythmic motions. Left-handers were usually made to use their right hands. The method developed around 1888 and was introduced in his 1894 book Palmer's Guide to Business Writing
Business English
Business English is English language especially related to international trade. It is a part of English for Specific Purposes and can be considered a specialism within English language learning and teaching; for example, the teachers' organisation IATEFL has a special interest group called BESIG...
. Palmer's method involved 'muscle motion' in which the more proximal muscles of the arm were used for movement, rather than allowing the fingers to move in writing. In spite of opposition from the major textbook companies, this textbook
Textbook
A textbook or coursebook is a manual of instruction in any branch of study. Textbooks are produced according to the demands of educational institutions...
enjoyed great success: in 1912, 1 million copies were sold throughout the country. The method won awards, including the Gold Medal at the Panama Pacific Exposition in San Francisco
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, in 1915, and the Gold Medal at the Sesquicentennial Exposition
Sesquicentennial Exposition
The Sesqui-Centennial International Exposition of 1926 was a world's fair hosted in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence, and the 50th anniversary of the 1876 Centennial Exposition-History:The honor of hosting...
in Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, in 1926.
Proponents of the Palmer Method emphasized its plainness and speed, that it was much faster than the laborious Spencerian Method, and allowed the writer to effectively compete with the typewriter
Typewriter
A typewriter is a mechanical or electromechanical device with keys that, when pressed, cause characters to be printed on a medium, usually paper. Typically one character is printed per keypress, and the machine prints the characters by making ink impressions of type elements similar to the pieces...
.http://www.miller-mccune.com/culture-society/handwriting-is-history-6540/ To educators, the Method's advocates emphasized regimentation, and that the Method would thus be useful in schools to increase discipline and character, and could even reform delinquents.http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/01/23/sunday/main7274525.shtml
Palmer's style fell out of popularity and was replaced by a movement to teach children manuscript
Block letters
Block letters are a form of writing in which the letters are upright, separated, and usually made without serifs. In English-speaking countries children are first taught to write in block letters , and later may advance to cursive writing...
before teaching them cursive
Cursive
Cursive, also known as joined-up writing, joint writing, or running writing, is any style of handwriting in which the symbols of the language are written in a simplified and/or flowing manner, generally for the purpose of making writing easier or faster...
, in order to provide them with a means of written expression as soon as possible and thus develop writing skills.
The style is now experiencing renewed attention, from those working in facilitated communication
Facilitated communication
Facilitated communication is a process by which a facilitator supports the hand or arm of a communicatively impaired individual while using a keyboard or other devices with the aim of helping the individual to develop pointing skills and to communicate...
for the disabled. Because the Palmer method has a focus on shoulder and arm movements, it is helpful for many with limited movement of the fingers.
External links
- The Palmer Method of Business Writing Scanned images of the 1935 edition of A.N. Palmer's handwriting textbook
- Método Palmer de Caligrafía Comercial Scanned images of the 1949 Spanish Edition of A.N. Palmer's textbook
- Image of Palmer-style handwriting: http://www.nystamp.org/Ink29.jpg