Back in 1728, Caleb Phillips advertised his teachings on a new shorthand method in the Boston Gazette. The lessons would be delivered by mail every week.

In the 1840s, Sir Isaac Pitman also offered shorthand by mail. However, his students would send him a postcard with their efforts, and he would correct and send it back to them. Thus, the Phonographic Correspondence Society was born to formalise the courses. In turn, it led to colleges, and by 1873, the first correspondence school was opened.