|
Ergonomics, 16th century style
Present-day computer operators suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, a severe
hand injury often requiring surgery, have sometimes been advised to use a soft
rubber wrist pad when working on a keyboard for lengthy periods of time. The
use of such a hand support when writing is something not newly known.
An Irish bard, writing about the year 1500, almost 500 years ago, numbered
a hand cushion as one of the consolations of life, in the following lines:
Come thou of the fair smooth pages stitched together...
Bring with thee, as thou comest, my pen-case, ready, clean, brilliant,
filled with sharp dart-like pens, limber-tipped, firm, newly trimmed.
Bring likewise paper and cushion under my hand, whence writing
is to percolate upon the smooth slope of the leaf, a fine script,
jet-black, uniform.
For this translation of the unnamed poet's words we are once more indebted
to Osborn Bergin, Professor of Early and Medieval Irish, University College,
Dublin.
The Bards Of Ireland - Part II - Navigation First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page
Home
| About
| Canadian Vindicator
| Literature
| Gallery
| History
|
|