Whats the Origin of the # sign, and the '&' and * as well?

Just wondering here. I can remember learning where the %, @, !, signs came from but the #,&, * I simply do not recall learning where they came from?

Anyone know the origins of these three signs?

The & is derived from a shorthand way of writing “et”, the Latin for “and”. Imagine a capital script E with a stroke on the lower tail as though crossing a t.

@

Pound Sign or #

Which is really interesting, but it leaves two questions:

  1. Where did it come from? The other two pound symbols are really intuitive. This one’s not. Worse, it’s got to be one of the more annoying symbols to do in handwriting.

  2. How did # end up pulling double duty as the number sign in the first place?

A fuller explanation, with pictures!