High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! A stenotype, stenotype machine or shorthand machine is a specialized chorded keyboard or typewriter used by stenographers for shorthand use. In order to pass the US Registered Professional Reporter test, a trained court reporter or closed captioner must write speeds of approximately 180, 200, and 225 words per minute at very high accuracy in the categories of literary, jury charge, and testimony, respectively. Some users of this machine can reach 300 words per minute. The website of the California Official Court Reporters Association gives the official record for American English as 375 wpm.