Tiro (103–4 BCE) - Tiro was a freedman of the Roman orator Cicero and is often credited with inventing a form of shorthand, known as Tironian notes. This system was used by notaries in ancient Rome to transcribe speeches and legal proceedings quickly. Tiro himself was not only Cicero's secretary but also his confidant and literary collaborator, playing a crucial role in the documentation of Roman legal and political affairs.