Interrobang

It isn't every day you learn of forgotten punctuation (is it?), but today will be one of those days: I give you — the interrobang. Wikipedia describes it as “a nonstandard English-language punctuation mark intended to combine the functions of the question mark (also called the interrogative point) and the exclamation mark or exclamation point (known in printers’ jargon as the bang).” For all the years I've spent working with type, this is the first I've heard of it.

It was invented in 1962; six years later, an interrobang key was available on some Remington typewriters. During the 1970s, it was possible to buy replacement interrobang keycaps and strikers for some Smith-Corona typewriters. Even today, it's hidden away in several commonly-used modern digital typefaces. Wow.

Did you know that yesterday was National Punctuation Day? This is the first I've heard of that, as well.