For iPad, iPhone & Android
Printable workbook included!
Spitzfeder guides you step by step through learning the old Kurrent script – digital on the iPad, iPhone or Android tablet and complemented by practice on real paper with a fountain pen using the workbook included in the app. Read and write Kurrent.
Spitzfeder is a full-featured app you install directly from the App Store or Google Play and that runs entirely on your device.
12 lessons, 8 activity types and 181 stations – from the first letter to reading historical sources.
No internet connection is needed to learn or save your progress. No account, no ads. Your learning-progress data stays locally on your device.
Spitzfeder teaches the Kurrent script – the most common script in German historical letters and sources. Master Kurrent and you can also read Sütterlin.
Spitzfeder offers two main learning modes – combine both for effective learning.
A digital learning path with various activity types: lectures, tracing, writing, reading, matching, landmarks, research tasks and stories.
Write with a fountain pen and real ink on lined paper, using Spitzfeder as your guide. You can record your practice time in the app.
The digital mode guides you through a variety of exercises that build on each other and lead you confidently through the Kurrent script.
Follow the strokes of each Kurrent letter on screen. Instant feedback shows you how accurate you are.
Write complete words on a line system, fully digital and pressure-sensitive on the tablet or with a fountain pen using the workbook included in the app.
Decipher historical sources and apply your knowledge of the Kurrent script to real documents.
Experience the Kurrent era with vivid narratives. Listen to authentic stories while reading along in historical Kurrent script.
Match Kurrent letters to their Latin equivalents and strengthen your skills in a playful way.
Decipher words and expand your reading skills in Kurrent – ideal preparation for reading old letters and documents.
Interactive learning units provide you with historical and specialist background knowledge about the Kurrent script.
Discover historical backgrounds and fascinating stories about German landmarks and the era of the Kurrent script.
Spitzfeder also offers helpful tools that make learning even more effective.
Watch how each letter is written stroke by stroke – in an animated preview that shows the correct writing flow.
Spitzfeder works with pressure sensitive digital pens on tablets and varies the stroke width – just like writing with a fountain pen.
Collect XP, level up and see your learning progress across all 12 lessons and 181 stations.
Designed especially for smartphones but also usable on tablets: Write on paper with a fountain pen and document your results with your device.
Productive, receptive and playful – these three pillars form the foundation of your learning journey.
Tracing and writing – learn the letters actively by tracing them stroke by stroke and writing complete words yourself.
Reading and deciphering – train your eye to recognise and understand Kurrent words and historical texts with confidence.
Matching and answering questions – consolidate your knowledge through interactive exercises that are fun and motivating.
Whether you're a genealogist, history student or simply curious – Spitzfeder is for anyone who wants to read and write Kurrent.
Learn to decipher old church records, letters and documents of your ancestors. 40 Million people in the US alone have German roots. Keep your family history alive.
Ideal for seminars in history, German studies or archival science – structured and interactive. Do not despair over historical sources
Discover a fascinating cultural technique with Kurrent. Immerse yourself in the world of historical documents, German landmarks and their history.
Kurrent thrives on flowing movements, clear proportions and precise strokes. Train your penmanship and discover the beauty of an accurate and elegant script.
Curious about what once was.
Spitzfeder was born from the desire to read old letters and documents from my own family history. I was particularly captivated by the story of my great-great-grandfather Jacob Högemann. As captain of the sailing ship Stella, he disappeared on a voyage from New York to London in 1892. Shortly before his departure, he sent a letter to his son. I was determined to find out what his last words were. The idea of creating Spitzfeder was born. What might your family’s letters reveal?
Download Spitzfeder and start your journey into the world of the Kurrent script.
