The History of Typography

Jul 19

Typography has a long and fascinating history that dates back to ancient times. Here's a brief overview of the evolution of typography over the centuries:

Ancient Era: The earliest forms of typography can be traced back to ancient times, where the basic elements of typography were developed as a systematic craft. The Sumerians are credited with developing formal writing around 3,500 B.C., while ancient cave paintings from 20,000 B.C. are perhaps the very first recorded written communication.
1400s: Johannes Gutenberg invented movable typefaces, which revolutionized the printing industry and made written materials more accessible to the masses. Gutenberg also created the first typeface, blackletter, which was dark, practical, and intense but not very legible. Nicolas Jenson later created Roman Type, which was far more legible than blackletter and caught on quickly.
1800s: The 19th century was a period of cluttered typography due to the Industrial Revolution, which focused on mechanical and industrial fields. However, the era also saw the development of new typefaces designed for attention-grabbing headlines and advertising.
1900s: The 20th century brought significant developments in typography, including the International Typographic Style, which was developed in Germany, the Netherlands, and Russia. This style was a major influence on the modernist movement and gave birth to a number of concepts in architecture and art. Frederic Goudy, the first full-time type designer, created iconic fonts that are still in use today, including Copperplate Gothic and Goudy Old Style.
Present: With the internet, we have access to a vast variety of old and new typefaces, giving us an abundance of options and looks for our designs today. Typography continues to evolve and adapt to new technologies and design trends.

Typography has come a long way since its origins in ancient times. From the invention of movable typefaces to the development of modernist typography, typography has played a crucial role in the evolution of written communication. Today, typography continues to be an essential element of graphic design, with designers incorporating both old and new typefaces to create unique and visually appealing designs.

Typography is at the centre of what Foglio does best. A good typeface used correctly always attracts interested readers. Foglio’s Custom Book Specialists has over twenty combined years of experience in typography. You write and edit your work carefully—we believe it deserves careful and personalized design and typography as well. Contact a Foglio Custom Book Specialist to get started on your book project today!