100 Symbols That Changed The World looks at the genesis and adoption of the world-s most recognizable symbols.Universal symbols have been used as a form of communication from the Bronze Age, when the dynasties of ancient Egypt began the evolution of the thousand characters used in Egyptian hieroglyphics. In pre-Columbian America the Mayan civilization set out on a similar course, using pictures as a narrative text.With the adoption of written languages, symbols have come to represent an illustrated shorthand. The dollar sign in America evolved from colonists- trade with the Spanish, and the widespread acceptance of Spanish currency in deals. Merchants- clerks would shorten the repeated entry of -pesos- in their accounts ledgers, which needed to be written with a -p- and an -s-. A single letter -s- with the vertical stroke of the -p- was much quicker. Historically correct dollar signs have a single stroke through the -S-.Symbols are also used to impart quick, recognizable safety advice.
