Linotype machine

The Linotype is a typesetting machine, which is a link between hand set and desktop publishing (DTP ) in the historical development of the batch process as the time following photo set. It was developed by Ottmar Mergenthaler in 1886 and was first introduced as a so-called "Blower " model. The " Linotype " was also named for the company (in the U.S., England and Germany ), which established the Linotype typesetting machines and sales.

Operation

The translator uses a keyboard, which he enters the text to be set. Typing the typesetter a letter falls out of a magazine a template, a metal mold for a letter. These individual matrices into lines strung together until the width of the type area is approached. Spaces between words are formed by variable in width Spatienkeile; this Spatienkeile automatically close the line by changing the word spacing widths of up to full line width.

The finished assembled row is then reacted with the liquid metal (an alloy of lead ( 85%), antimony (11% ) and tin ( 4%) ) poured - it is formed as an element, a row of raised letters (total height 23.567 mm), the eponymous line of types.

This line blocks are then put together by hand, page by page to print sticks. When setting errors, the entire affected line must be re-written and cast in this method.

The matrices used for casting the rows are returned as cast by a lift and have a coded to the magazine rack; using different encodings tooth at the individual matrices they are automatically directed to the corresponding letters of the Matrizenmagazins channels and are available there for reuse. - The Spatienkeile to form the word spacing through a similar cycle, but are located in a separate magazine.

Use and development

The Linotype typesetting machine was used primarily for newspapers; the similarly functioning, while maintaining individual letters generating Monotype rather for the set of books. Later models of the Linotype typesetting machine have up to six magazines for different fonts and font sizes. With the Linotype typesetting machine can be set between 5,000 and 6,000 letters per hour.

The first model of the Mergenthaler in 1886 built machine called Blower, because it promoted the matrices on the way from Matrizenmagazin to collectors by compressed air. The blower was replaced in 1889 by improved simplex model, in which the compressed air technology for Matrizentransport was replaced by a more reliable working belt transport.

The basic model Simplex experienced a continuous development. There was, inter alia, Machine models with multiple Matrizenmagazinen; Blender models allowed this mixed set of display typefaces. The casting device for the set lines was improved by the water-cooled casting wheel Thermex. The water cooling allowed a faster casting especially when controlled by punched tape Quick typesetting machines. A hydro- Centric said device could set the Matrizenzeilen center automatic, are left-justified or right-justified. The font sizes and line widths, which could process the machine to grow.

On 31 December 1976 ended the production of Linotype typesetting machines at the Berlin plant; the machines manufacturing in the U.S. and in England was set a few years earlier.

The lead typesetting or Linotype typesetting machine was gradually displaced by the photo set; used in many printers to the machine is still up to the later introduction of the DTP ( Desktop Publishing). Compared with the current set options on a PC, the Linotype typesetting machine offered relatively limited typographic applications. However, the machine was from the outset as an ingeniously engineered product whose technical principle had almost 100 years existence. The Linotype typesetting machine developed world for the print world to a motor of progress.

Origin of the name

The name of the method is to go back to a typo: As Mergenthaler 's machine tried for the first time, he forgot the f When the line was printed, he read a line o types.

Other descriptions call the editor of the New York Tribune, Whitelaw Reid as a name. He is said to have exclaimed at the start: " A line of types " and thus have given the machine its name.

Linotype versus Monotype

The Linotype worked differently from the Monotype. On the Linotype an entire line is set and cast by matrices in a single operation. Only one hole band was for the Monotype produced separately, then poured onto a second machine each letter as a single model and the whole in a row and then compiled into a block. The Monotype was mainly used for the scientific record with a variety of different characters.

Gallery

Linotype matrices with two characters (letters - casting molds )

Linotype Matrizenzeile (without word spacing wedges ) in the " collector " ( the right way round )

Spatienkeil ( variable spacing ) of the Linotype typesetting machine

Linotype casting line » 1973«

Row block - side view

100th birthday of Ottmar Mergenthaler: Stamp from 1954