Evolution of Speechballoons

During the 18th century, British caricaturists changed the shape of speechballoons from gothic speech-bands or flags into fluffy balloons, our modern speechballoons.
The Evolution of Speechballoons let you study various experiments and variations and the gradual change from bands to balloons. Even the later examples sometimes have tiny leftovers of the 'bands' on the other side of the balloon.
It should be noted that the simplified speechballoon was not new, it had been used sporadically for centuries, but only now did rounded balloons become the standard.

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