Phillips Code

It was compiled in 1879 by Walter P. Phillips, who explained that he was in large part putting down the collective experience of generations of telegraph operators.

In the introduction to the 1907 edition of his book, "The Phillips Code: A Thoroughly Tested Method of Shorthand Arranged for Telegraphic Purposes.

Using the Phillips Code, this ten-word telegraphic transmission: ABBG LG WORDS CAN SAVE XB AMTS MON AVOG FAPIBexpands to this: Abbreviating long words can save exorbitant amounts of money, avoiding filing a petition in bankruptcy.In 1910, an article explaining the basic structure and purpose of the Phillips Code appeared in various US newspapers and magazines.

[3] One example given is: T tri o HKT ft mu o SW on Ms roof garden, nw in pg, etc.which the article translates as: The trial of Harry K. Thaw for the murder of Stanford White on Madison Square Roof Garden, now in progress, etc.The terms POTUS and SCOTUS originated in telegraph code, and are included in the Phillips code.

These codes were used by railroad telegraphers to indicate logistics instructions and they proved to be useful when describing an article's priority or confirming its transmission and receipt.