PREFACE
This treatise is the first of a series of text-books, published under the general title of Typographic Technical Series for Apprentices, which have been prepared under the auspices of the Committee on Education of the United Typothetae of America, for the use of printers’ apprentices and students of typographic printing.
As will be noted by the table of contents, only the mechanical features of type and the usual methods of its manufacture have been considered here. No attempt has been made to review the history of type-faces or the development of type-making processes. These phases of the subject are considered in other publications of the series (see [p. 36]) and in supplementary reading recommended for students ([p. 28]).
It is not what they are but what they can be made to do under the control of trained intelligence and skilful hands that makes printer’s types of importance to the world. No tools used in modern industry seem simpler than these little pieces of metal, yet they are the product of the most highly specialized skill and ingeniously perfected mechanisms. To the young printer their physical elements are matters of first concern. An understanding of these elements may be only a small part of his trade education, but it is important. The possibilities and the limitations of type can be appreciated only by thorough familiarity with the technical details and niceties provided by the modern typefounder.
A special feature of this series of technical publications is the list of Review Questions, which will be found at the end of each treatise (see [pp. 29-31]). These questions cover the essential points in each subject and will be of assistance to instructors, for examinations, etc. A list of the other titles of the series, as well as a statement of their plan and scope, will be found on [pp. i-vii] of this publication.