The idea of an alphabet

Recent research suggests that the idea of an alphabet (in which one symbol stands for only one sound) was first used in Egypt in about 1900 B.C. Civilizations that traded with or fought against Egypt were exposed to this alphabet, and the idea spread. The Phoenecians were the first to come up with a written language. The idea of putting letters together to make words was born. It consisted of symbols that look very much like today's alphabet. As the ages went on, the Greeks and Romans added their own symbols to the Phoenecian alphabet. Over time, the combination of these three alphabets became what we use in everyday reading and writing today. The alphabet changes, progressing made it simpler, and easier to write and understand and also learn.