My monotype adventures

[Franz]

Until challenged, I hereby declare myself the worlds latest Monotype apprentice.

I am learning Monotype keyboard and casting machine operation under the excellent supervision of Erich Hirsch at the "Museum der Arbeit" (museum of work) in Hamburg, Germany. I have just finished my first year.

So for those of you that learned Monotype operation in the old days, this may cause a raised eyebrow, so please let me elaborate.
 
My apprenticeship certainly differs from the standard 6 week course setup for a keyboard operator at the Monotype school, 19 and 19a Cursitor Street, London E.C.4 (And various technical collages) as laid out by the Monotype. Or the 6 months "Lehrplan" for each the keyboard operator and the caster as described in the east German "Lührssen".

Since I live in Sweden, far from Hamburg, and have a both well paying and demanding job, as well as a lovely family, I only can visit Erich for single days. Into the first year, we fitted 6 days of training, and additional two days where the Monotype operated during a fair.

So, in order to make sure that as much as possible of what I learn during these days sticks, I try to take enough time when back home and note down what I learned. I do this while reading up in various books that I have.

My "notes" can be found on my website. They are an apprentice diary in prose, and a visual memory aid for me.

If you are interested, you are welcome to visit my blog.


(Photo credit Burkard Meyendriesch)

[Val Lucas]

Wonderful! I'm no longer the newest newbie?
Franz, this is great. thanks for sharing! (Although I'm not sure that Google translate gets everything exactly right.)

My experience has been similar- I think the days of a 6-week (or 6-month, or 6-year) apprenticeship are over... our current life situations don't allow for it. Since I started working with Jim in August 2021, I've been up there I think 7 times for about a week each, and worked with Rich for a week at MonoU plus a few days earlier.

We get the experience when and where we can squeeze it in around life. Keep it up!

[Franz]

Thanks @Val Lucas for your welcome!

By pure chance, and through the link shared by @Jason I "attended" your talk at the AFT meeting earlier this year. I enjoyed it very much.   

Terrence reached out to me as well and I learned about your Monotype U in August, congratulations. I tried to contact Rich about joining the ATF, but he hasn't replied so far. I will give it another try by real mail. I guess he is looking for someone to take his duties there.

Not much google in there. When writing in German first and then doing a quick translation, my writing becomes a bit robotic. A "unit insert" is called a stopbar, though, I will correct that.

Again, thanks for your reply.
Cheers, Franz



 

[KPMartin]

[...] Since I started working with Jim [...]

For other readers here, that would be Jim Walczak, I assume.