I’m old enough to remember a time when you didn’t have screen fonts. This was back in the DOS days, before Windows and before Mac. There was only one font you saw when you were working on the computer, probably courier or some basic IBM machine text You could select a different font or size, but you didn’t see it on the screen, only if you printed the document. The font actually came from the printer, and they were built into the printer itself. If you wanted additional fonts, you’d have to buy a special cartridge, which came with some fonts on it and you plugged that into the printer. Later, they came up with WYSIWIG, which stood for what you see is what you get. Meaning fonts and styles and sizes would actually appear on your screen and correspond to what you printed. That was a real revolution. Thanks for the thoughts on the importance of fonts!
My comment continued: I panicked and told my friend that I couldn’t watch the film because the subtitles were in Souvenir. She gave me a look of repressive rage to let me know that no hysteria about offensive typefaces would be tolerated, so I got a grip and settled down. Retirement from publishing has done wonders for this type hypersensitivity, and I can’t even remember many the names of faces I used to love and hate. I don’t know if that’s good or not, but it is freeing.
That is indeed a good thing! It's funny to me (and kind of disheartening) to think about all the things I once took so seriously at work that I can no longer remember at all.
Happy New Year and this has been entertaining. These wars have gone on forever: maybe it was a cautionary tales podcast? I cannot remember, but a crazy story about a printing partnership a long time ago and a popular typeface that has been lost forever because someone threw it in the Thames under the cover of darkness? People have strong opinions about attribute mystical powers to typefaces and fonts! Anyway, yeah — that’s crazy. Thanks for this one!
Found it! Definitely Cautionary Tales: In 1900, two friends in the flourishing Arts and Crafts Movement in London share a vision: to print the ultimate edition of the Bible. Together they create The Doves Press, and its unique font, Doves. But in their quest to make something beautiful, the friends spiral towards an act of incredible ugliness.
In fairness, it was the Biden administration that had initially changed it to Calibri, but for a solid reason. I guess the things this administration is doing are shocking but not surprising. I'm still constantly shocked.
This was a fun read! And Elle Cordova is so talented. I spend way too much time deciding which fonts to use on the calendars I create. Shutterfly gives a long list of options.
Fonts are one of my passions. I was recently discussing my new favorite font, Chewie, with a friend, and I said, “It’s like Cooper without all the baggage.” 😁
(I know technically Chewie is a typeface, and Chewie Bold 24pt is a font. But everyone uses the terms interchangeably. It’s become one of those “distinction without a difference” situations.)
I’m old enough to remember a time when you didn’t have screen fonts. This was back in the DOS days, before Windows and before Mac. There was only one font you saw when you were working on the computer, probably courier or some basic IBM machine text You could select a different font or size, but you didn’t see it on the screen, only if you printed the document. The font actually came from the printer, and they were built into the printer itself. If you wanted additional fonts, you’d have to buy a special cartridge, which came with some fonts on it and you plugged that into the printer. Later, they came up with WYSIWIG, which stood for what you see is what you get. Meaning fonts and styles and sizes would actually appear on your screen and correspond to what you printed. That was a real revolution. Thanks for the thoughts on the importance of fonts!
Yes, I remember that too! It may have been courier. And I remember when you had to buy fonts. So much has changed!
Looking forward to another year of Flower Child!
My comment continued: I panicked and told my friend that I couldn’t watch the film because the subtitles were in Souvenir. She gave me a look of repressive rage to let me know that no hysteria about offensive typefaces would be tolerated, so I got a grip and settled down. Retirement from publishing has done wonders for this type hypersensitivity, and I can’t even remember many the names of faces I used to love and hate. I don’t know if that’s good or not, but it is freeing.
That is indeed a good thing! It's funny to me (and kind of disheartening) to think about all the things I once took so seriously at work that I can no longer remember at all.
And your story made me lol.
Happy New Year!!
Hey, Rosana, you might like this typographic deep dive: https://johannadrucker.substack.com/p/the-politics-of-script
All those wasted seconds! ;-)
Anyway, cool — I didn't realize Times New Roman was born the same year as my father. So much to learn about fonts.
It's another rabbit hole, Rosana!
Is it Helvetica? Or Arial? There's a great documentary on Helvetica, perfect for nerds such as we!
Bembo has always been, and always will be, my fave font, but if course it is not available on computers, darn.
I can't even get started (she said, getting started) on the hideousness of the continued erasure of the disabled . . .
You're the only one who's guessed so far! It's Aptos. Gotta check out that documentary!
Happy New Year and this has been entertaining. These wars have gone on forever: maybe it was a cautionary tales podcast? I cannot remember, but a crazy story about a printing partnership a long time ago and a popular typeface that has been lost forever because someone threw it in the Thames under the cover of darkness? People have strong opinions about attribute mystical powers to typefaces and fonts! Anyway, yeah — that’s crazy. Thanks for this one!
Found it! Definitely Cautionary Tales: In 1900, two friends in the flourishing Arts and Crafts Movement in London share a vision: to print the ultimate edition of the Bible. Together they create The Doves Press, and its unique font, Doves. But in their quest to make something beautiful, the friends spiral towards an act of incredible ugliness.
Wow, what a crazy story! It's amazing that people have such strong feelings about fonts.
Happy New Year to you, Nancy!!
Shocking that the govt had a problem with a font. Or maybe not.
In fairness, it was the Biden administration that had initially changed it to Calibri, but for a solid reason. I guess the things this administration is doing are shocking but not surprising. I'm still constantly shocked.
True. It’s just amusing (sarcastically) to me that they cited the DEIA as an issue to change it back. 🙄
Well, many in the administration are eugenicists, so it's not all that surprising.
Sadly that is true.
It's gross. That's all I've got.... :(
Yeah that really seemed like a joke!
The movies are a dangerous place! Also during a foreign film, I panicked told my friend
Another brilliant video! Thanks for including it in your equally brilliant essay.
❤️ Thank you! I will never be as brilliant as Elle Cordova!
This was a fun read! And Elle Cordova is so talented. I spend way too much time deciding which fonts to use on the calendars I create. Shutterfly gives a long list of options.
At least Shutterfly has a lot of options to pick from, unlike Substack! 🤣
Fonts are one of my passions. I was recently discussing my new favorite font, Chewie, with a friend, and I said, “It’s like Cooper without all the baggage.” 😁
(I know technically Chewie is a typeface, and Chewie Bold 24pt is a font. But everyone uses the terms interchangeably. It’s become one of those “distinction without a difference” situations.)
You know a lot more about fonts than I do! I have no idea what you’re talking about lol.
Probably for the best.
🤣