Nyctography

Nyctography
Two rows of square characters.
Script type
alphabet
CreatorLewis Carroll
Created1891
DirectionLeft-to-right
LanguagesBritish English
Related scripts
Parent systems
English alphabet
  • Nyctography
 This article contains phonetic transcriptions in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). For an introductory guide on IPA symbols, see Help:IPA. For the distinction between [ ], / / and ⟨ ⟩, see IPA § Brackets and transcription delimiters.
Reconstructed nyctograph, with scale demonstrated by a 5 euro cent.

Nyctography (in Nyctography: ) is a form of substitution cipher writing created by Lewis Carroll (Charles Lutwidge Dodgson) in 1891. It is written with a nyctograph (a device invented by Carroll) and uses a system of dots and strokes all based on a dot placed in the upper left corner. Using the Nyctograph, one could quickly jot down ideas or notes without the aid of light. Carroll invented the Nyctograph and Nyctography as he was often awakened during the night with thoughts that needed to be written down at once, and didn't want to go through the lengthy process of lighting a lamp only to have to then extinguish it.