Invented by a student in 1824, this system has a total of 64 combinations

On the March 31, 2025 episode of Jeopardy!, the Final Jeopardy clue fell under the category “Communication” and challenged contestants with the following:
“Invented by a student in 1824, this system has a total of 64 combinations.”

What is Braille?

This system, created by Louis Braille, revolutionized the way blind and visually impaired individuals read and write. It remains a vital tool for accessibility across the world.

Origins of the Braille System

Louis Braille developed the Braille system in 1824 while he was still a student at the Royal Institute for Blind Youth in Paris. Blinded as a child due to an accident, Braille sought to improve upon the limited and inefficient systems of reading that were available at the time for the blind. Inspired by a method of silent military communication called “night writing,” he adapted it into a simplified format that could be easily read by touch.

The final form of Braille consists of cells made up of six dots arranged in a rectangle containing two columns and three rows. By raising different combinations of these six dots, Braille created 64 unique configurations—enough to represent letters, numbers, punctuation marks, and even some commonly used words or letter combinations. This compact and logical system allowed blind individuals to read and write independently for the first time in history.

Structure and Functionality

Each Braille character, or “cell,” is composed of six dots, which can be raised in various patterns. The six-dot cell provides 2⁶ or 64 possible combinations, including the space character where no dots are raised. These combinations are used to represent the alphabet, digits, musical notation, and other symbols through the use of additional formatting rules and context indicators.

Braille’s design is tactile by nature, meant to be read using the fingers. This tactile quality is what distinguishes it from other visual or auditory forms of communication and has contributed to its widespread adoption in signage, packaging, literature, and education for the visually impaired. Today, variations of the original Braille system, including Grade 2 (which uses contractions), are commonly taught and used around the world.

Legacy and Global Adoption

Although Louis Braille introduced the system in the 1820s, it did not gain official acceptance in French schools for the blind until two years after his death in 1854. Despite early resistance from some educators and institutions, Braille’s system proved far more efficient and user-friendly than embossed Roman letters and other alternatives.

Over time, Braille became the global standard for tactile writing and reading. It has been adapted into nearly every major language and continues to be supported through advances in assistive technology, including Braille displays and printers. UNESCO officially recognized Braille as a critical communication system and declared January 4—Louis Braille’s birthday—as World Braille Day to promote awareness and literacy.

A Lasting Contribution to Accessibility

The March 31 Final Jeopardy clue highlighted one of the most impactful developments in the field of communication. Louis Braille’s invention not only provided access to written information but also opened doors to education, employment, and independence for generations of blind individuals.

Braille’s work stands as a milestone in inclusive communication. While the total number of character combinations in his system may seem modest, their utility and significance have endured for two centuries, cementing Braille’s legacy as a pivotal figure in accessibility and human rights.