This is a bit O/T, but I checked with the boss and he said "post it!". There are enough graphic designers on here to appreciate this, and the parallels between guys that are dragging old linotype machines back from the brink of extinction and those of us that are attempting to salvage old steel are pretty obvious. Even if you're not a type geek like me you should appreciate what these guys are up to... <iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/15032988?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="225" width="400"></iframe>"Linotype: The Film" Official Trailer from Linotype: The Film on Vimeo.
Huell Howser on KCET had an epasode showing the Linotype machine. Theres a museum in Torance Ca. to see one and many other printing machines click below. http://anniestromquist.blogspot.com/2011/01/international-printing-museum.html
An interesting thread! I have a friend Dick Lion that back in the 50's and 60's ran a linotype machine for 17 years. He worked for Sullivan Press in Lowell Massachusetts. At the time Billy Sullivan who owned the Patriots football team owned the press. They had the contract for all the programs for the Boston Red Sox, and all the horse, and dog tracks in New England. He new every horse, dog, Red Sox, and Patriot's player, and all the stats of the day. I guess if a guy was typing in all that information about such things every day, over time just through osmosis you would know almost every horse, dog and player. Years later he could recite almost every player, or horse that raced or played at that time. It was funny to be in one of the local watering holes and some blow hard would be talking about a particular player and would get the year wrong. Dicky would give the date and time, even the games they played in. He was like a walking encyclopedia of knowledge. It was funny because he never would bet on a game or a horse. I have a feeling that earlier in his life he bet and probably lost big. It's great to see the linotype machines being brought back to life.
Too cool! I graduated from Ball State University's Graphic Arts program in 1987. While I was there, they still had a Linotype machine that operated "sometimes", or, whenever they could get it to. I work at Ball State Printing Services, and I still have a few lines of type that I set way back when. I had totally forgot about them. Thanks for the reminder!
I still love seeing those old Rock n' Roll posters done on an old Linotype...love to see those impressions in the paper or poster board... R-
Boy, the sound of that thing running at the beginning sure brought back memories. I think I need to head out to the shop and melt some lead fishing weights now to complete the experience. And they're correct in the assessment that, 'it's one of the most complicated machines I've ever seen'. I can attest to that. Thanks for the memories.
I know a few guys that run letterpress and some even cut wood type by hand, but I don't think I've ever seen a linotype machine in action. I love the fact these guys are looking for barn finds and resurrecting them. Good to see you too Larry. Pileup was a blast but too big to see everyone and visit for long. Everything's a blur.
Ok, that was awesome! I love all kinds of machinery and am intrigued by how they work. Thanks for the video.
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