edinburghcityofprint
Linoterm filmstrips and plugs
Description: SH2008.100.1 Cardboard box containing four linoterm plugs. Each plug has a blue plastic handle and is a rectangular cross shaped disc. Each plug reads 'linotype DIS VS 3216'. Font is 12pt universal. Box reads 'Font shop Linotype-pail Limited.' SH.2008.100.2 cardboard box containing four linoterm plugs and pink information card. Linoterm plugs read 'Mergenthaler, Vero Electronics. 30-0740-01.' Information card reads 'Linotronic font made in Germany by D. Stempel AG.' Packaging box reads ' To: Mr H. McIntosh, Speedspools, 7 Gayfield Place Lane, Edinburgh. EH1 3NZ from Fowler Printing Services. SH.2008.100.3 cardboard box containing ten linoterm filmstrips and typeface of the month information card. Each film strip is in an individual plastic cover which indicates the corresponding typeface. Packaging box reads 'Linocomp font with width plug and width chart. D Stempel AG, Frankfurt, Germany'.
Used in Edinburgh
Further Notes: Linoterm was the next stage after monophoto. There were lots of different incarnations in technology between the 1950s and '60s. In the 1970s the floppy disc came along and so did the linoterm., which incorporated an 8 inch floppy disc which could be reused. Linoterm was part of linotype- a photo setter from the bottom end of the market. It was used in conjunction with a light table. Filmstrips and linoterm plugs were used in the linoterm machine and there was one plug for each film strip. The plug controlled the type widths in the filmstrip. The filmstrip then went into linoterm round a drum. The drum went round and round at high speed and a lamp flashed through the characters that were needed.
History: Used at Speedspools, Gayfield Place, Edinburgh. Harry McIntosh; typographer, type founder and printer has been actively involved in the casting of types and the production of books printed from these types for the second half of the Twentieth Century. Mr McIntosh began his apprenticeship at J & J Grey, Annandale Street, Edinburgh in 1952. During his National Service he served in communications in the RAF where he learnt his keyboarding skills. From there he transferred onto the monotype keyboarding, from Bishops to Oliver & Boyd where he perfected his skills. When Oliver & Boyd amalgamated with Darien Press and Constables he moved across to the firm T & A Constables. From Constables Mr McIntosh decided to branch out on his own and founded the firm Speedspools. The firm began setting type, type casting and then moved into spoolsetting. Mr McIntosh operated out of Gayfield Place and latterly moved the firm to his house in Edinburgh where he adapted the hot metal composition caster to run off computers and desktop publishing packages.
Edinburgh City of Print is a joint project between City of Edinburgh Museums and the Scottish Archive of Print and Publishing History Records (SAPPHIRE). The project aims to catalogue and make accessible the wealth of printing collections held by City of Edinburgh Museums. For more information about the project please visit www.edinburghcityofprint.org
EH7 4AB
Linoterm filmstrips and plugs
Description: SH2008.100.1 Cardboard box containing four linoterm plugs. Each plug has a blue plastic handle and is a rectangular cross shaped disc. Each plug reads 'linotype DIS VS 3216'. Font is 12pt universal. Box reads 'Font shop Linotype-pail Limited.' SH.2008.100.2 cardboard box containing four linoterm plugs and pink information card. Linoterm plugs read 'Mergenthaler, Vero Electronics. 30-0740-01.' Information card reads 'Linotronic font made in Germany by D. Stempel AG.' Packaging box reads ' To: Mr H. McIntosh, Speedspools, 7 Gayfield Place Lane, Edinburgh. EH1 3NZ from Fowler Printing Services. SH.2008.100.3 cardboard box containing ten linoterm filmstrips and typeface of the month information card. Each film strip is in an individual plastic cover which indicates the corresponding typeface. Packaging box reads 'Linocomp font with width plug and width chart. D Stempel AG, Frankfurt, Germany'.
Used in Edinburgh
Further Notes: Linoterm was the next stage after monophoto. There were lots of different incarnations in technology between the 1950s and '60s. In the 1970s the floppy disc came along and so did the linoterm., which incorporated an 8 inch floppy disc which could be reused. Linoterm was part of linotype- a photo setter from the bottom end of the market. It was used in conjunction with a light table. Filmstrips and linoterm plugs were used in the linoterm machine and there was one plug for each film strip. The plug controlled the type widths in the filmstrip. The filmstrip then went into linoterm round a drum. The drum went round and round at high speed and a lamp flashed through the characters that were needed.
History: Used at Speedspools, Gayfield Place, Edinburgh. Harry McIntosh; typographer, type founder and printer has been actively involved in the casting of types and the production of books printed from these types for the second half of the Twentieth Century. Mr McIntosh began his apprenticeship at J & J Grey, Annandale Street, Edinburgh in 1952. During his National Service he served in communications in the RAF where he learnt his keyboarding skills. From there he transferred onto the monotype keyboarding, from Bishops to Oliver & Boyd where he perfected his skills. When Oliver & Boyd amalgamated with Darien Press and Constables he moved across to the firm T & A Constables. From Constables Mr McIntosh decided to branch out on his own and founded the firm Speedspools. The firm began setting type, type casting and then moved into spoolsetting. Mr McIntosh operated out of Gayfield Place and latterly moved the firm to his house in Edinburgh where he adapted the hot metal composition caster to run off computers and desktop publishing packages.
Edinburgh City of Print is a joint project between City of Edinburgh Museums and the Scottish Archive of Print and Publishing History Records (SAPPHIRE). The project aims to catalogue and make accessible the wealth of printing collections held by City of Edinburgh Museums. For more information about the project please visit www.edinburghcityofprint.org
EH7 4AB