The Origin of the Alphabet

Abstract

Some current scientific interests—game theory, computers, social invention—may hear echoes from the beginning of recorded time in Dr. Stecchini's preliminary inquiry into the origins of the alphabet. Some unheralded Sumerian grammarian probably devised a primitive alphabet as a divining, abacus-like instrument formed in a sixteen- letter square, as reconstructed in the cover drawing. Its purpose was to allow divine voices to "speak" in the language of the land. The author resides at Princeton, N.J., where he is completing his work on the HISTORY OF MEASURE. A further article on his findings will appear in the March issue of ABS.