Makenna Topacio’s Two History of Type video commentary

On “A Brief History of Type”, Leuschke explains how typography and the use of writing changed from basic use to create a universal method of communication and standardizing currency, to utilizing it for artistic and stylistic purposes. Hans Gutenberg as it was said, revolutionized the way typography was used and purposed by creating his version of the Christian Bible, which is still used today. It was interesting to learn that he basically created the idea of mass producing writing and thus being the pioneer for printmaking. Creators like Nicholas Jensen were the first to stylize writing in a simplistic and aesthetic way, which was akin to the artwork that was popular during the time. These different styles like Baskerville, Garamond, etc. all popularized the way we think about fonts and typefaces as not just a way to communicate, but as a way to express artistic emotion. I also found it interesting how advertisments were started and popularized with its relationship to the spread of literature, as well as the invention of the lineograph machine which changed the way mass production of writing forever. The creation of this machine inspirsed the invention of the monotype and and the typewriter, and later the most tenchologically advanced way of writing, the computer. Presently, typeface has now explored the idea of creating fonts that mirror hand written designs, which shows how the evolution of type is constanty changing and discovering new ways of creating art.

A “Fun History Of Type” teaches us an interacting way of learning about the history of how type is used today. Learning how books over scrolls were popularized, as well as the mass production of written books were created was something I never knew. The invention of the printing press by Gutenberg revolutionized how mass writing was able to take off and reading and writing was popularized. This was the start of how type was used indefinitely. Now, living without typeface would be impossible; it is integrated in our everyday lives. from phones, to computers, to advertisements, to newspapers, type is now our primary way of communicating and connecting with one another. As long as technological advances are made, typography and the way written languages are created will also advance to adapt to our future.

1 thought on “Makenna Topacio’s Two History of Type video commentary

  1. That was a nice way to put all your thoughts, and is crazy to know that all these new methods and evolution was so big and we didn’t even notice how big this evolution was, how our life change because new ways to commercialize it and new ways to use to today’s new technologies. is just amazing how something we use every day in the most normal way has been through for many processes.

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