Chapter 7 - DaSilva

Chapter seven speaks about the evolution of typographic technology. It claims that the invention of typography was the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. Its use was through the mechanization of hand lettering books - a method called handicraft. As technology evolved, so did the technology as typographic design because the limitations placed before on designers were now removed. Typesetting has provided a number of creative challenges and designers have taken up these challenges as a way to explore the limitations from the systems which were available for their use in order to define and describe their personal aesthetics.

From the 1490s to 1880s, typography was mainly done by hand. This process was extremely time consuming and hard work. The typographer would take a composing stick in one hand and their other hand would placed type which was selected from a type case. In order to achieve letterspacing, the typographer would insert pieces of copper or brass between the words until they believed the space was even.

It was not until the late 1880s (and beginning of 1960s) did the process of typography shift. The linotype machine (1886) is considered one of the most important developments in typesetting technology. It was with this machine that the typographic world moved closer towards automation. Each time a key eas pressed, a single brass matrix was brought down from an overhead magazine, split into ninety channels which were arranged vertically, and contained matrices for each individual character. This machine allowed for typography to be a faster and more efficient process.

Jumping forward, the 1970s began a method of digital typesetting. One process used presently is desktop publishing. Once personal computers became more powerful, software applications were created in order to assist designers.

After reading this chapter, it was clear there truly was an Industrial Revolution within typography. It will be interesting to see how not only the technology of typography progresses, but the designs that will follow.