The History of Writing

The history of writing dates back over 5,000 years, beginning with the Sumerians in Mesopotamia, who developed cuneiform, a system of wedge-shaped symbols. This evolved into various scripts, including Egyptian hieroglyphs and the Phoenician alphabet, which greatly influenced later writing systems, including Greek and Latin. Writing initially served purposes like record-keeping and religious texts but gradually expanded to literature, science, and communication. With the invention of the printing press in the 15th century, written works became more accessible, paving the way for widespread literacy and the sharing of knowledge, shaping cultures around the world.