Category: Composition

July 3, 1886

Ottmar Mergenthaler

Many thanks to the Rutgers University Libraries, John Depol Collection for permission to use this picture.

On July 3, 1886, seated at the keyboard of his new machine, Ottmar Mergenthaler handed to Whitelaw Reid a slug of metal. Reid exclaimed, “It’s a line-of-type!” Thus was christened the forerunner of today’s modern linecasting machine: the Linotype. Read the Full Article . . .

All-Purpose Linotype

All-Purpose Linotype

Details of the APL (Linotype’s version of the Ludlow) taken from “Linotype Machine Principles” published in 1940.

THE ALL-PURPOSE LINOTYPE (APL) is a complete, self-contained unit for the casting of type in the form of slugs, in faces ranging from 6 point to 144 point; for casting of furniture, rules, borders, decorative and spacing material from 6 to 72 point body, and 42 picas in length. Read the Full Article . . .

Anatomy of a Linotype

Linotype Assembly Mechanism

Assembly


FEATURES of the Linotype Assembly Mechanism taken from “Linotype Leadership” published in 1930 by the Mergenthaler Linotype Company.

1 – Swinging Keyboard
2 – Removable Keyboard cams
3 – Single Power-Driven Keyboard
4 – Keyboard Lock
5 – Escapement
6 – Die-Cut Cams and One-Piece Yoke
7 – Keyboard Rubber Roll
8 – Complete Bank of Key Bars Removable as a Unit
9 – Assembler Front
10 – Assembler Entrance Cover
11 – Geared Assembler Drive
12 – Offset Assembling Elevator
13 – Endless Matrix Delivery Belt
14 – Assembler with Quick-Removable Star Wheel
15 – Rapid Change of Measure
16 – Line Delivery Carriage
17 – Assembler Slide Roller Bearing
18 – Assembling Elevator
19 – Adjustable Spaceband Key
20 – Linotype Spaceband and Slide
21 – Four Thicknesses of Spacebands Read the Full Article . . .

Linotype Factory, Brooklyn

Linotype factory
A picture of the Linotype Factory in Brooklyn, New York, USA. I would guess (looking at the vehicles) it dates from some time between the turn of the 20th Century and World War One. The small print at the bottom proclaims it to be “The Largest Composing Machine Factory in the World.” I think it may have been produced as a postcard.

A superb colour illustration of the Linotype Factory in Brooklyn, New York, USA from about 1900-1920. Kindly sent in by Roy Daniels.

Linotype fan? Don’t miss the Linotype Chat section of the Metal Type Forum. Read the Full Article . . .

Burlington Press & Electrical Press

Mike Wilson
I’m on the Linotype in Burlington Press, Bridlington, a one-man operation (my Dad and my mother) until his death in 1978. I’m probably on holiday from Aylesbury, where I was department overseer on the Bucks Herald. I worked a brand new Intertype there, a model that came out before the days of the Elektrons etc. A ten-line-a-minute job with a blower etc. But I could still keep a line hanging. But despite the blower the mould got so hot that it would splash often, and the union man told me to slow down or everyone would have to work at my speed. They promised me an output bonus but it never materialised.

Mike Wilson also sent in these pictures of himself and his father.

Linotype fan? Don’t miss the Linotype Chat section of the Metal Type Forum. Read the Full Article . . .

Yorkshire Evening Press

Stonehands
Yorkshire Evening Press stonehands posing in front of a Ludlow, late 1970s. The guy leaning in from the left is John Bradley, the big guy to the right at the back is Bob Procter, next to him Derek Johnson, left of him John Langthorp (wearing the “hat”) and the man at the front in the grey jacket was Frank Smith.

There are six pages of Yorkshire Evening Press photos on Metal Type. Check the “Related Pages” menu to see the rest.