Abstract: Two newly designed fonts and the Lincoln/Mitre font are compared for legibility using tachistoscopic presentation and forced identification. All three fonts were constructed with a matrix of 5 × 7 dots and were presented with a computer-generated display. The results were analyzed parametrically in terms of total identification errors and by conventional confusion matrices. The analysis showed significantly fewer errors with the font utilizing the largest number of dots per symbol than with either of the other two fonts. The confusion matrices revealed that the most severe confusions occur for different characters in different fonts.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for copy-fitting, using a new parameter called Font ID in a circular calculator having a plurality of relatively rotatable disks, some of which have cursors affixed thereto, and one or more freely rotatable cursors. Scales on the several disks include Font ID numbers, type size, in points; line length, in picas; number of characters per line; number of characters per page; page depth in picas and number of lines; and line spacing in points. By manipulating the calculator, it is possible to estimate from a typewritten manuscript the number of characters per line; the correct Font and line length required for a given number of characters of a given point size type; the correct Font and point size required to fit a given number of characters into a line of given length in picas; the number of characters contained in a given number of pages of specified type size, font, line length and page depth; and the number of pages of printed copy from a given number of characters of specified type size, Font, line length, and page depth. The operation of the calculator is based on the Font ID, which is a function of the width, in points, of the 26 characters in the alphabet; the most condensed style having the lowest Font ID number, and the most extended style having the highest Font ID number. In one form of the invention, the largest, or outer disk of the calculator is eliminated, and its Font ID and type size in points scales are printed directly on a font display chart, to which the other calculator disks are rotatably attached. The font display chart lists all fonts of different type styles carried by a particular print shop, the said fonts being listed in descending numerical values of Font ID from top to bottom, with guide paths leading from the listings to the respective Font ID values on the calculator scale.

Abstract: A photocomposing machine and font strip therefor are described which allow type designers to have the flexibility to design typographical characters which are kerned. The photocomposing machine is able to automatically kern those characters which are designed to be kerned. The automatic kerning is accomplished by intentionally offsetting each character's placement on the font strip to the left with respect to the machine's aperture, and providing an optical system in the photocomposing machine which intentionally offsets the projection of the font strip through the aperture of the machine to the right, thereby cancelling the offset of unkerned characters. Kerned characters are placed to the right on the font strip in order to allow the machine's optical system offset to overlap the image of kerned characters on the space normally reserved for the next character.

Abstract: A method of preparing color separated font characters and components in which positive proofs of the characters of the font intended for color printing are arranged by rows in linear spaced relation with the color components of each character of the font disposed one above the other on a flat plane in predetermined spaced relation. The color separated components and characters of the font are then printed on a transparent film for subsequent transfer of selected characters of the font to a layout sheet for photographic reproduction and forming plates or engravings to be printed in two or more colors.