About The Project

In 2012, I made a film about the Linotype which only scratched the surface of its impact on society, communication, and journalism. Now, I’m writing a book to share all of the amazing things I’ve learned & discovered since.

This book will be both a historical study of untold Linotype stories and a beautiful coffee-table book filled with amazing images from the world’s best collections of Linotype ephemera.

Newsletter Updates

Sign up for Exclusive Access

Free or pay-what-you-want to further support the research & writing already in progress

Follow along as I research, write, and shape the book into its final form. The only way to learn more is to sign up for the members-only newsletter.

No spam — only updates & stories from the road: secret locations, special photos, and a behind-the-scenes look at the reality of making the book. It might not always be pretty, but it will be fun.

The Road Ahead

  • Where is the original Blower Linotype machine? It hasn’t been seen publicly in three decades.
  • What were the experiences of women & minority populations using the Linotype?
  • Can we find the original 1936 NBC radio broadcast celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Linotype?
  • Why did the Linotype company fail to transition to photo and computer technology?
  • How did a small group of people swindle over $775,000 from the company in 1945?
  • What was the APL (All-Purpose Linotype) and why did it fail so spectacularly?
  • How did the International Typographic Union become so powerful?
  • Why did the New York Times wait 20 years longer than almost anyone else to stop using the Linotype?
  • Why was Ottmar Mergenthaler so angry and depressed at the end of his life?
  • What was the relation between the U.S., U.K., German, and Italian Linotype companies?

Just The Facts, Ma’am

Research locations identified
16
Spreadsheets already created
9
Topic ideas for future newsletters
21
Estimated budget to self-publish the book
$300k
Secret custom typeface already in progress
1
Estimated pages of the final book
450
Books currently in the bibliography
62
Estimated years to finish research & writing
1½

Did you know?

  • The Linotype wasn’t the first (or even the best) typesetting machine, but it suceeded due to overly-aggressive lawyers?
  • Ottmar Mergenthaler was kicked out of his own company because he couldn’t stop tinkering?
  • The author Mark Twain practically went bankrupt funding a machine that was faster at composing type than the Linotype?
  • There was a Twilight Zone television episode centered around a “possessed” Linotype?
  • The venture capitalists behind the Linotype mainly invested so they could break up the printing & typesetting unions?
  • The Linotype company almost went out of business because Mergenthaler submitted a patent for spacing words 49 days too late?

About me

A professional headshot of Doug Wilson, the author, smiling at the camera.

My name is Doug Wilson, and I am a designer, writer, filmmaker, and “typographic historian.” After the film came out, I thought I was finished with the Linotype — but I was wrong.

I’ve continued to research and collect information about the Linotype with a focus on the larger impact on society and journalism and now, I’m writing a book to share it with you.

Make sure to sign up for the newsletter and follow along on Instagram.