Hi! Ardith,

On 12/07/2019 11:46 PM, Ardith Hinton -> Paul Quinn wrote:

 AH>            As my father might have said, they're "as scarce as hens'
 AH> teeth"... especially nowadays.  When I mentioned to one of our
 AH> daughter's young friends awhile ago that my mother was a stenographer
 AH> she didn't understand what I was referring to although she herself has a
 AH> university degree.

How many would remember who a 'computor' was?  I never knew any but I do recall
the next generation of data entry 'operators'.

 AH> Stenographers may have been done a disservice by the
 AH> common tendency to lump them together with anybody who can type, use a
 AH> copying machine, and answer the phone.  Years ago there were jokes about
 AH> the "steno pool"... more likely a "typing pool" AFAIC. And I agree that
 AH> recording devices may have changed the picture as well.  ;-)

Yes, later and still last century, I knew a cardio specialist who used to
dictate to his receptionist via a hand-held tape recorder (I think, though it
may have been a dedicated device).  He used some form of formal directions
probably in an agreed 'verbal shorthand'.

I vaguely recall that in my earlier example, the O/C of the Typing Pool may
have been #1 substitute for -the- stenographer.  If not, then she would have
ensured one of the girls would have had the required skills as a short-term
replacement.  I recall her 'training huddles' in hushed conversation with two
or three other girls at times.

That was all so long ago.  In the early 80s typists were being phased out as
fodder to provide 'balance' in pay increases deals won by unions.  Supervisors
and clerical staff were expected to produce their own formal output via
automation (early computers), while skilled staff were converted or 'let go'. 
Later, the clerks became the fodder.  I got on my own terms.

Cheers,
Paul.

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