Shorthand machine

Shorthand machine, any of several mechanical devices that use keyboards to record dictation. Invented (1912) by a court stenographer, Ward Stone Ireland, the shorthand machine is used chiefly to record court testimony, legislation, and speeches. The operator works by touch, typing words phonetically while watching the speaker. The keyboard is arranged to allow any number of the 21 lettered keys to be struck simultaneously, so that an entire word or phrase can be typed with 1 stroke. The shorthand machine is portable and operates silently.

See also: Court reporter.