A noctograph is a

writing instrument A writing implement or writing instrument is an object used to produce writing. Writing consists of different figures, lines, and or forms. Most of these items can be also used for other functions such as painting, drawing and technical drawing, ...

composed of a piece of paper whose underside is treated with printer's ink

carbon paper Carbon paper (originally carbonic paper) consists of sheets of paper that create one or more copies simultaneously with the creation of an original document when inscribed by a typewriter or ballpoint pen. The email term cc which means "carbon ...

and a metal board with clips to hold the paper in place and guidelines to make for straight writing in the dark. The user writes with a metal

stylus A stylus is a writing utensil or tool for scribing or marking into softer materials. Different styluses were used to write in cuneiform by pressing into wet clay, and to scribe or carve into a wax tablet. Very hard styluses are also used to En ...

, and thus does not have to ink a pen or worry about knocking an inkstand over. The original purpose was to allow the blind or

partially sighted Visual or vision impairment (VI or VIP) is the partial or total inability of visual perception. In the absence of treatment such as corrective eyewear, assistive devices, and medical treatment, visual impairment may cause the individual difficul ...

to write with more ease than with a traditional

pen PEN may refer to: * (National Ecological Party), former name of the Brazilian political party Patriota (PATRI) * PEN International, a worldwide association of writers ** English PEN, the founding centre of PEN International ** PEN America, located ...

, although it has also been used by the fully sighted to write in the

dark Darkness is the condition resulting from a lack of illumination, or an absence of visible light. Human vision is unable to distinguish colors in conditions of very low luminance because the hue-sensitive photoreceptor cells on the retina are ...

. It was originally patented by Ralph Wedgwood in 1806.

Notable users

* William H. Prescott The noctograph that Prescott used to write his many historical volumes is on display at the William Hickling Prescott House (house museum) at 55 Beacon Street, Boston, Massachusetts. *

James Holman James Holman Royal Society, FRS (15 October 1786 – 29 July 1857), known as the "Blind Traveller," was a British adventurer, author and social observer, best known for his writings on his extensive travels. Completely blind and experiencin ...

References

Writing implements Blindness equipment {{tool-stub

Notable users

See also

References