An Explanation of Doodling

The art of doodling has been around for a vast amount of time. Author Robert G. Bednarik suggests that early doodles date back to Paleolithic times, in which doodles were etched on cave walls (177). Many early species engaged in this activity as well, helping to spread its popularity, which has continued into today’s society. Menzel, an avid doodler, notes that doodling has become universal (175). A number of people ranging from students to doctors make doodles regularly. For example, a variety of students doodle while in class or doing work.

Doodling became an exciting activity, but the word to describe it was not invented yet. The name for this specific activity was not given until mid twentieth century, with the first use in the Oxford English Dictionary (Battles 1).  Everyone was doodling frequently, but never had a way to express it to other people. The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “an aimless scrawl made by a person while his mind is otherwise applied”(Battles 1). Here, the inference is that doodling only occurs while one is already doing something else, such as talking on the telephone.

Doodling gained large prominence in this century, but the origins of it aren’t very clear. Some sources gathered that the word originated from the Portuguese doudo, meaning foolish, while others say it is a form of cheating or something enjoyed by mad men (Battles 1). This suggests that doodling was a silly activity, or something to keep busy. It also implies that doodling may have been a way of swindling others or causing them harm to seek pleasure.

            The act of doodling began to increase in popularity, but eventually, faded into the background. This was probably due to technological activities taking place of handwritten activities. When doodling became popular again, it was associated with other drawing aspects like sketching (Battles 2). New ideas about doodling drew more attention to it and attracted more people to join.

An increase of focus on doodling gave way to questions about what the benefit of doodling is. According to Battles, doodling brings joys that are sensuous and immediate (2). Bednarik agrees with Battles in that doodling is an activity where “… the artist becomes a mere spectator to his own spontaneous graphic production,” (177). Doodling is not planned, making the activity exciting and generating a rush to fulfill it. The artist watches as whatever is on their mind comes to life through doodles on a page.

To conclude, doodling is a very key leisure activity in today’s society. It began as an activity of cavemen to pass time, and is now an activity to freely express one’s mind without inhibition. Doodling has gained popularity and will continue to grow as an activity that allows one to escape the pressures and stresses of the world by doodling whatever comes to mind, with no limitations.