2. His grandson Sir James Pitman developed the Initial Teaching Alphabet (ITA) with 43 symbols (later expanded to 45) for the sounds of English. 3. The ITA had a brief vogue in schools in the 1960s but then fell into disuse.
4. A script known as Linear A used by the Minoans in Crete 3,500 years ago has never been deciphered. 5. A form of writing known as rongorongo, used in Easter Island and dated to some time between the 13th and 17th centuries is also a complete mystery. 6. Louis Braille was blinded by an accident he suffered at the age of three.
7. After devising the Braille writing system, he expanded it to music. He was a gifted organist. 8. Our letter G is thought to have been invented by an ancient Roman, Spurius Carvilius Ruga. 9. Spurius Carvilius is also said to have been the first man to divorce his wife.
10. National Braille week starts today. For details, see www.nationalbrailleweek.org.