Writing instruments were the first literacy technologies.

Written language brought the first technologies of literacy - writing implements and materials - and new skills to be learned - encoding and decoding (see Figure 2). Mastery of complex tools and skills became necessary in order to communicate effectively. Wide availability of written content came at the price of decreased ease of access. Transmission to writing also diminished dynamism. Intonation, affect, and emphasis are more difficult to convey through writing than in a face-to-face exchange.