Chapter 2 provides a concise history of writing, from ancient times to the present day. The chapter begins with proto-writing and then the first writing systems, which arose independently in different corners of the world. The discussion shows evidence of the earliest roots of writing from the Egyptian and Mesopotamian areas, as well as in China and Mesoamerica. The chapter then covers cuneiform writing, drawing on examples from the Middle East, like Ancient Sumerian. Other early writing systems discussed include Egyptian hieroglyphics and the first alphabets, like the Phoenician one, from which came the Aramaic script, followed by the Greek and Latin alphabets. Following an overview of writing in the Middle Ages, the focus shifts to the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg. Insights from European developments are integrated with some references to the influence of East and South Asian writing. The chapter also discusses the changes in writing brought about by a series of modern events and inventions, from the Industrial Revolution to the Internet.