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Nov 1, 1440
First Font Debut
Johann Gutenberg, the creator of the printing press was also known for inventing the first typeface, or font. His font, Gothic Blackletter was created in order to make his books look hand written yet from the press. -
Aug 12, 1460
Typography Grows With the Press
As the printing press gained popularity and began to be used for a wide variety of texts, the need for more fitting typefaces emerged. Nicholas Jenson created the next font which was the first roman typeface. Roman typefaces are known for being more light weight and used in many formal occassions. -
Jan 3, 1500
Italic Font is Born
Aldus Manutius and Francesco Griffo create the first italic style font influenced by the cursive handwritting popular in Italy. -
Size Matters
The first measurment system for typeface is created by Pierre Fournier le Jeune. The system measures font size in "picas" and this system still stands today. -
Customization Takes Place
John Baskerville creates his own font, Baskerville Type to change up the typeface game. This font was the first to take into consideration leading, margins and strokes. He created a variety of thing and thick strokes and adjustable width and leading. -
Steam Powered
Lord Stanhope created the first steam powered printing press to take the place of Johann Gutenberg's manual press. This press allowed for 480 pages per hour to be printed and doubled the size of the printing space. This iron press would have an impact on typgraphy everywhere. -
The New York Press
Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue and Ingalls Kimball created a typeface for their own use at a New York publishing company and name it Cheltenham. -
American Typeface Founders
The American Typeface Founders began with the copperplate font created by Frederic W. Goudy. This font was influenced by both the Victorian Age and the stone carving look. -
Universal Alphabet
The universal alphabet is established. -
An Iconic Font
Times New Roman is a serif font created by Victor Larden for the British newspaper, The Times. Times New Roman is the go to font for nearly all essays, books, webpages, and almost all business related texts. -
Brush Typeface
The first brush font collection was created. -
Eurostile
Aldo Novarese creates the typeface labeled as Eurostile a font collection created for and used mostly by Europe. -
American Typewriter
Joel Kaden and Tony Stan invent and create the first American Typewriter for the International Typeface Corporation. -
Gone Digital
Typefaces of all sorts are made avaiable for download on PC's around the US. -
Adobe Software
Programs such as Photoshop and Illustrator are created by Adobe and begin making the need for typography in the design world known. -
300 dpi Printer
The first 300 dots per inch printer is invented for home use. -
Helvetica
Helvetica typeface is debuted and a documentary is made to document its journey.