Braille Slate - paper punch
Production date
Circa 1933
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Object detail
Description
Braille punch used with guide to make braille dots on paper. Wooden bulb shaped handle with steel spike.
Classification
DOCUMENTS Education braille board
Production date
Circa 1933
Measurements
H70 x D23
Media/Materials description
Indeterminate (Woods) Steel (Metals - Ferrous)
History and use
This Braille paper punch dates to 1933, when Braille texts were prepared by hand. The paper punch has a wooden, bulbous handle and a steel spike. The punch is part of a Braille writing kit, including a wooden base board and a metal guide with holes the size of a six-dot Braille character. Using the guide, this punch would operate like a stylus to press individual dots into the paper. Today, the same task is performed more efficiently by a computerised embosser.
The Braille system was devised in France in 1821 by Louis Braille and revolutionised communication for people with vision impairment. The system was based on a code devised for soldiers to communicate in silence. Braille modified and simplified that code, creating a system of 6 dot characters (or ‘cells’) that went on to be used around the world. The original Braille alphabet has been expanded and adapted for other languages, mathematics and music notation.
The Braille system was devised in France in 1821 by Louis Braille and revolutionised communication for people with vision impairment. The system was based on a code devised for soldiers to communicate in silence. Braille modified and simplified that code, creating a system of 6 dot characters (or ‘cells’) that went on to be used around the world. The original Braille alphabet has been expanded and adapted for other languages, mathematics and music notation.
Associated person
Registration number
H12729.2
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