In the early 20th century, as education systems expanded and standardized across the United States, a new handwriting method emerged to meet the needs of mass instruction. Known as Zaner-Bloser, this system offered a more straightforward and teachable approach to cursive writing than its predecessors. Designed for clarity and ease of learning, it played a central role in how millions of children learned to write.
From Art to Education
The Zaner-Bloser method originated at the Zanerian College of Penmanship, founded in 1888 in Columbus, Ohio. Initially focused on ornamental penmanship and calligraphy, the school — later renamed the Zaner-Bloser Company — shifted toward educational publishing and handwriting instruction. The goal was to create a writing system that could be easily taught to young children with consistent results.
The method features rounded, looped letters with uniform slant and spacing. Unlike the more elaborate Spencerian script, and following the more utilitarian Palmer Method, Zaner-Bloser emphasized simplified, clearly defined strokes that could be broken down into step-by-step instructions. It retained some of Palmer’s focus on efficiency but softened the formality, making it more accessible for younger learners. The system included both manuscript (print-style) letters and cursive, offering a complete learning path from early literacy to fluent handwriting.
Widespread Adoption
Zaner-Bloser became one of the dominant handwriting curricula in American schools throughout the 20th century. Teachers appreciated its structured approach, and students benefited from the repetition and visual consistency it provided. Its popularity was due in part to its compatibility with printed letterforms. Children learned manuscript writing first — resembling printed letters — and transitioned to cursive only after mastering the basics. This made the method well-suited to early reading instruction and aligned with textbook typography.
Legacy and Influence
Zaner-Bloser remains a widely used system in the United States, though its presence has declined with the reduced emphasis on cursive writing in many modern curricula. Nevertheless, its influence persists in how handwriting is conceptualized and taught, particularly in materials that balance clarity, utility, and educational structure. As debates continue about the place of handwriting in contemporary education, Zaner-Bloser stands as a bridge between ornate historical scripts and the functional demands of modern classrooms.
In the decades that followed, educators continued to refine handwriting instruction. One such effort led to the creation of the D'Nealian Script — a system designed to ease the transition from print to cursive.