Lost and font

Question 1

Who invented the printing press and what existed prior? (A1)

Answer 1

The printing press was invented by Johannes Gutenberg in the mid 15th century. Prior to this, handwritten books existed, which were generally reserved for the elite, though the middle class also had a demand for them. The evolution of typography from handwritten books to Johannes Gutenberg’s printing press revolutionized mass production.

Question 2

How did typeface development evolve, and who were key figures in its historical progression? (A1)

Answer 2

Typeface development evolved with John Baskerville’s transitional typefaces in the 18th century, improving readability. Firmin Didot, and Giambattista Bodoni introduced modern serifs in the late 1700’s. Vincent Figgins introduced slab serif styles in1815. William Caslon IV’s “Caslon Egyptian” in 1816 marked the rise of sans serif typefaces. The 20th century brought minimalist fonts like Helvetica, and digital typography emerged with Rudolf Hell’s Digi Grotesk in 1968.

Question 3

How did typeface development continue in the 21st century? (A1)

Answer 3

In the 21st century, typeface development continued with web fonts, variable fonts, and the potential for color fonts, showcasing ongoing adaptation to technology.

Question 4

Transitional typefaces with distinct letterforms (defininition) (A1)

Answer 4

A typeface is a design of letters, numbers and other symbols, to be used in printing or for electronic display. Most typefaces include variations in size, weight, slope, width, and so on. Each of these variations of the typeface is a font.

Question 5

Modern serifs (defininition) (A1)

Answer 5

Characterized by extreme contrast between thick and thin lines. Serifs are the small lines attached to letters.

Question 6

Extreme stroke contrast (defininition) (A1)

Answer 6

This refers to the difference between the thinnest and thickest strokes in your glyphs.

Question 6

Slab serif and sans serif typefaces (defininition) (A1)

Answer 6

Technically, the only difference between serif and sans serif fonts is that visually, serif types have an extra decorative stroke at the endings of lines in the lettering and the so-called feet of letters. Sans serif, as that “sans” says, don’t have extra swooshes and ornamental endings.

Question 7

What font did Microsoft change to on certain platforms? (A2)

Answer 7

Microsoft has chosen Aptos as the new default font for its productivity applications like Word and Outlook, replacing Calibri. Aptos, formerly known as Bierstadt, was selected after considering user feedback on five font options introduced in 2021.

Question 8

Why did micrsoft change the name of their font (Aptos)? (A2)

Answer 8

The change aims to refresh core applications, enhancing Microsoft’s argument for Microsoft 365 subscription renewals. The font’s creator, Steve Matteson, explained that the name change from Bierstadt was prompted by people not taking it seriously. Matteson developed the font in the grotesque sans-serif style in 2019, initially named Grotesque No. 2, and later codenamed Koyuk. The final name, Aptos, was inspired by an unincorporated town in California with diverse characteristics.

Question 9

What changes would Aptos bring? (A2)

Answer 9

Microsoft anticipates rolling out Aptos as the default font for all users in the coming months, allowing users to retain Bierstadt as an option. The font’s versatility includes support for various languages and symbols, ensuring compatibility in different scenarios, such as Excel spreadsheets. Matteson expressed respect for Calibri and its creator, Lucas de Groot, while acknowledging Microsoft’s desire for a change.

Question 10

Why is The London Underground’s iconic typeface being changed? (A3)

Answer 10

The London Underground’s iconic typeface, introduced in 1916 by Edward Johnston, is undergoing a subtle transformation to adapt to the digital age. Monotype, the firm behind the adaptation, studied old posters to preserve the typeface’s essence. The last update to the font was over 25 years ago, and the goal is for Johnston100 to endure for another century and beyond.

Question 11

What changes are being made to The London Underground’s iconic typeface? (A3)

Answer 11

Transport for London (TfL) has introduced “Johnston100,” which maintains the original font’s “soul” with minimal adjustments. The changes include new symbols like hashtags and “@” signs, and extra-thin weights have been created for mobile usage. The alterations are subtle, affecting the shape of letters, and will be implemented on maps and in stations.

Question 12

Why is the U.S State department undergoing a font change? (A4)

Answer 12

The U.S. State Department, led by Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, is undergoing a font change for internal documents, transitioning from the long-standing Times New Roman to the larger sans-serif font, Calibri. The move aims to enhance accessibility for visually impaired employees and was recommended by the secretary’s office of diversity and inclusion. The focus on Calibri is attributed to the font’s sans-serif features addressing accessibility concerns related to Optical Character Recognition Technology and screen readers. While a senior State Department official emphasizes the decision’s focus on accessibility, opinions among employees vary, with one describing it as sacrilege but acknowledging a personal preference against serifs.

Question 13

Why are there complaints surrounding the U.S State Departments font shift? (A4)

Answer 13

The shift has sparked complaints from some staff members who find Calibri aesthetically displeasing. Blinken set a deadline of February 6 for both domestic and international offices to adopt Calibri as the standard font. The decision has prompted internal discussions, with one Foreign Service officer anticipating a potential revolt. (Despite resistance, this isn’t the first time the State Department has altered its font for internal documents. The previous switch from Courier New 12 to Times New Roman in 2004 was driven by a desire for a crisper, cleaner, and more modern appearance.)

Question 14

What case began Thomas Phinney’s career? (A5)

Answer 14

Thomas Phinney, MBA ‘03, is a font detective renowned for his expertise in uncovering forgeries and solving font-related mysteries. As a former product manager at Adobe Systems, Phinney discovered his passion for forensic font analysis when investigating a suspected will forgery. The case was that an attorney suspected a will forgery, and the lawyer wondered if the font might provide a clue. He found that the document had been printed at 300 dots per inch (dpi), which didn’t exist in 1983, the year that it was supposedly printed in.

Question 15

What has Thomas Phinney done since his first case? (A5)

Answer 15

Since then, he has become the go-to expert witness for font-related court cases, consulting for major entities like the U.S. Treasury and media outlets. Phinney, also a type designer, emphasizes the importance of typography in branding and digital interactions. What started as a side gig has now become a significant source of income, with Phinney earning a substantial portion of his income from font forensics.

Question 16

Which stores have began getting rid of the self - checkout? (A6)

Answer 16

Stores, including British supermarket Booths and U.S. giants like Walmart and Costco, are scaling back on self-checkout technology due to customer dissatisfaction and increased merchandise losses. Booths is removing self-checkout stations in 26 of its 28 stores, citing customer complaints about speed, reliability, and impersonal interactions. Walmart and ShopRite have removed self-checkout machines in certain locations, while Costco is addressing the problem by adding more staff to self-checkout areas. Five Below, a discount toy retailer, plans to increase staffed cash registers in response to higher shrink at stores with more self-checkout lanes.

Question 17

Why are different stores considering getting rid of self-checkout? (A6)

Answer 17

Misidentification of produce and age verification for alcohol purchases contributed to the decision. The trend signals a shift from the widespread adoption of self-checkout during the 2000s and the pandemic, as retailers now face higher losses from customer errors and intentional shoplifting. Retailers are reconsidering self-checkout strategies due to issues such as multiple barcodes, difficulty in scanning, and increased theft tactics.

Question 18

What historic event occurred in Troy, Ohio, in 1974 related to the Universal Product Code (UPC)? (A7)

Answer 18

In 1974, Troy, Ohio gained global attention as Marsh Supermarket scanned the first item marked with the Universal Product Code (UPC), a significant milestone in the history of retail and technology.

Question 19

Who were the key individuals behind the invention of the barcode, and what inspired its creation? (A7)

Answer 19

The barcode was invented by Joe Woodland and Bernard Silver, who filed a patent in 1949. The inspiration came from Morse Code, with Woodland recalling an epiphany while sitting on a beach in Miami. Originally envisioned as a bull’s-eye, technical challenges led to the adoption of the familiar rectangular barcode design. Additionally, Theodore Maiman’s 1960 invention of the laser played a crucial role in the development of the barcode.

Question 20

How did the adoption of the Universal Product Code (UPC) impact business and industry, and what recognition did one of its inventors receive? (A7)

Answer 20

The widespread adoption of the UPC in the 1980s, notably by retailers like Kmart, transformed business and industry. The barcode became a powerful tool for inventory management, offering statistical insights into consumer preferences. In 1992, President George H.W. Bush recognized Joe Woodland’s contribution by presenting him with the National Medal of Technology, acknowledging the profound impact of the barcode on modern commerce.

Question 21

What is Amazon Go, the new cashierless store? (A8)

Answer 21

• Amazon Go stores provide a unique “just walk out” shopping experience, eliminating traditional checkouts.
• Amazon Go offers different store types, including Amazon Go for meals and snacks, and Amazon Go Grocery for a wider range of grocery items.
• Product offerings include ready-to-eat meals, grocery essentials, local favorites, and Amazon-branded items.
  Amazon Go plans to expand globally, with a commitment to open thousands of grocery and convenience stores in the future.

Question 22

How does Amazon Go work? (A8)

Answer 22

• “Just Walk Out” technology employs computer vision, sensor fusion, and deep learning to track products and charge customers automatically.
• Shoppers need the Amazon Go app, an Amazon account, and a supported smartphone to use the service.
• The technology tracks movements, adds items to a virtual cart, and automatically charges the shopper’s Amazon account upon exit.

Question 23

What did Anne Thériault have to say about QR code menu’s? (A9)

Answer 23

• QR code menus criticized for disrupting communal dining, leading to privacy concerns. (Quote - “websites with menus on them can track consumer behaviour, one more tiny erosion of our everyday privacy. QR code menus also mean that people need access to a smart phone or some other kind of device and, if they do have one, that they possess a certain level of tech savviness, which excludes some potential patrons.”)
• QR code usage increased during the pandemic, with 66% of US restaurants employing them.
• Thériault emphasizes the historical significance of physical menus in preserving culinary, environmental, and gender histories.
• The article recounts personal experiences in Italy, contrasting the joy of reading physical menus with the inconvenience of QR codes.

Question 24

Q: What does cultural historian Sasha Gora’s research group at the University of Augsburg focus on in the field of culinary environmental humanities? (A9)

Answer 24

The group explores the concept of culinary extinction, investigating what happens when animals and plants essential for popular foods go extinct due to overconsumption. An example is the passenger pigeon, which declined rapidly in the early twentieth century. Despite its nearing extinction, passenger pigeon pie remained on the menu at Delmonico’s Restaurant in New York City, potentially creating a false perception of abundance as it vanished from the ecosystem.