Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 February 1917 — FIRST STARTED PUNCTUATION [ARTICLE]

FIRST STARTED PUNCTUATION

Venetian Printers Were the First to Develop Rational and Comprehensive System.

The first to develop a rational and comprehensive system of punctuation were the famous Venetian printers, Aldus Manutius, his son, Paulus, and the latter’s son, Aldus. Jr. Aldus Manutius, also known as Teobaldo Manned and Aluo Manuzio, was not only the founder of the famous Aldine Press and one of the greatest scholars of his time, but he was the father of punctuation in modern times. Ar.istoplianeSi the ancient grammarian, invented a system of punctuation, but it was wholly lost during the Dark Ages, and no attempt was made, to revive it until the reign of Charlemagne. Under the latter's direction, Warnesfried and Alouin formulated a punctuation system, but there were few rules governing the use of their signs, and they were practically worthless. Aldus Manutius and his successors of the Aldine Press increased the number of punctuation marks and established fixed rules for their use. Later grammarians have introduced some improvements, and the rules of punctuation have been changed somewhat and new ones added, but the punctuation system of the Manutius formed the foundation for that now in use.