The past and future

Typography is an ongoing subject. The evolution of typefaces occurs through small, incremental steps. Each generation of designers and engineers adds to this rich discussion about shapes and their connections.

The past blends with the future, as reading and writing depend on conventions. Some of these conventions are basic. For example, the uppercase T has two lines, one horizontal and one vertical, both centred. Other conventions are more flexible and allow for new possibilities.

Type design relies on the technology behind it. For instance, a font designed for letterpress printing needs to be converted to a digital font. It’s not just a matter of switching from one method to another.

A key source of inspiration comes from old 19th-century specimen books. Font publishers created these publications to help print shops choose and use suitable fonts for their work. Over the years, I have built a collection of these books and some interesting printed materials. Here are a few of my favourites.

Linotype Faces, printed by the Mergenthaler Linotype Company, Brooklyn, New York, 1930..

Linotype Faces, printed by the Mergenthaler Linotype Company, Brooklyn, New York, 1930.

Binder of Rochester Monotype Composition Company, ca 1950.

American Specimen Book of Type Styles, American Type Founders Company, 1912.

Old newspapters can be an rich source, Berner Zeitung, 1982.

Histoire de l’imprimerie par l’image: Esthetique du livre, Volume 3, Henri Jonquieres, 1929.