I’m not an expert on this, but I think it started in scientific journals, to facilitate the inclusion of mathematical formula (which are usually written horizontally). Eventually – and I’m not sure why – the horizontal orientation was standardized for everything. I believe the vertical orientation is still used for calligraphy and signs and such.
Wait till they find out that Chinese texts used to be written vertically, and it was the PRC which made writing horizontally the standard.
ooff I did not know that about chinese texts. That’s wild.
why was the direction changed?
I’m not an expert on this, but I think it started in scientific journals, to facilitate the inclusion of mathematical formula (which are usually written horizontally). Eventually – and I’m not sure why – the horizontal orientation was standardized for everything. I believe the vertical orientation is still used for calligraphy and signs and such.