Shorthand

My mother taught Pitman shorthand (as well as related secretarial skills) for many years until probably the early nineties. My father still has many of her old textbooks, and some of them are novels translated into shorthand for reading and comprehension practice. They're kind of odd things to look at - page after page of squiggles that are somehow clearly artificial rather than natural orthography.

Also, it is interesting to encounter an encyclopedia article explaining something that was, until recently, common enough that its existence and usage was part of general knowledge. A useful reminder of how things change.

My economics and music teacher always wrote anything not for students in shorthand. It was her natural instinct, and had to actively think sometimes to correct herself. It was one of the most useful things she felt she learned in life. She gave me $300 after graduation when I met her at the library to give her an update on whats going on in my life. I don't think I've met a teacher that cared as much as she did. She always wanted a hug when old students saw her, and refuses to retire. I always make sure if I'm home to stop by to keep her updated on technology news and see what's going on in her life.

She's the only person to date that I have met that knows shorthand. She has an insane amount of crazy stories.

Any one knows a good (preferably free online) source for learning shorthand? I was recently interested in learning it, but was shocked by how little decent online material there is about it.

While I do not know about the fastest speed on record, in general, an expert is able to outwrite a fast typist exceeding 150 wpm.