Reading: Ch. 4/Ch.6
This chapter discusses the physical forms of type production
and reproduction.
The chapter describes four typographical revolutions.
1.
Hand Typesetting (metal and wood).
2.
Machine typesetting (Hot Type).
3.
Phototypesetting (cold type).
4.
Digital Typesetting (room temperature type).
In the past type form has been painted, carved or inked on
papyrus or stone. Nowadays we use hard drives, software, computer screens and
printers to produce type.
Jenson’s typeface was the first truly uniform and modular
set of glyphs and was designed to work together in any combination.
Stereotyping: duplicating whole forms so that the
same composition can be used on a number of presses simultaneously.
One revolutionary development in typography was the coupling
of the pantographic punch cutter, Meganthaler linotype and the Lanston monotype
machines. This advancement allowed type to move from hand presses to
mechanically assisted presses.
Many improvements came with the invention of
phototypesetting. Phototypesetting allowed letterforms to be stretched,
twisted, angled, squeezed and shadowed. For the first time letter spacing could
be altered in minute increments and easily decreased in size.
Today digital technologies replicate nearly any
typographical feat that previous technologies accomplished and much more.
Some semantics of the profession include measurement systems
and relational schemes. Type classification vs. categorization.
18pt=two lines of 9pt; 24pt=two lines of 12pt; 48pt=two
lines of 24 etc.
Typographers need to be familiar with the variety and range
of measuring systems across media.
