lost and font - science and tech

Question 1

Who was the first person to create a font and what was their inspiration?

Answer 1

Johannes Gutenberg; Blackletter calligraphy used in manuscripts

Question 2

Who created the first font with reduced text per page and when?

Answer 2

Nicolas Jenson in 1470

Question 3

Who created the first space-saving typeface and when?

Answer 3

Aldus Manutius and Francesco Griffo in 1501

Question 4

Who created the first font with improved readability and when?

Answer 4

William Caslon in 1734

Question 5

Who created the first serif fonts and when (approximately)?

Answer 5

Firmin Didot and Giambattista Bodoni in the 1780s

Question 6

Who created the first sans-serif font and when?

Answer 6

William Caslon IV in 1816

Question 7

Who was the first full-time font developer and when (approximately)?

Answer 7

Fredric Goudy in the 1920s

Question 8

When were digital fonts born (give an example)?

Answer 8

1968 (Digi Grotesk)

Question 9

When were variable fonts born?

Answer 9

2016 (OpenType standard)

Question 10

When did Microsoft Office switch fonts from Calibri to Aptos and who designed Aptos?

Answer 10

2023; Steve Matteson

Question 11

When did the London Underground change its font and what is the new font called?

Answer 11

2016; Johnston100

Question 12

Why did the US State Department change its font from Times New Roman to Calibri?

Answer 12

2023; For accessibility purposes

Question 13

What challenges exist with fonts today?

Answer 13

Lack of global language fonts and untapped potential in color fonts despite the OpenType SVG format allowing for creativity.

Question 14

What was the significance of the font change from Calibri to Aptos for Microsoft Office?

Answer 14

Marked a shift in Microsoft’s brand identity, moving towards a more modern and refreshing aesthetic.

Question 15

How did the London Underground justify the subtle changes made to the Johnston font?

Answer 15

Claimed the adjustments were necessary for a 21st-century adaptation, ensuring relevance in the digital age while preserving the original spirit.

Question 16

Where and when did the first barcode scanning occur?

Answer 16

At a Kroger store in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1972.

Question 17

What were the initial concerns regarding the laser, invented in 1960, in relation to barcodes?

Answer 17

Its potential applications were thought to be limited to welding, cutting, or medical surgery, not barcode scanning.

Question 18

What inspired Joe Woodland to develop the barcode concept?

Answer 18

While drawing in the sand on Miami Beach, he envisioned a code that could be scanned quickly for product identification.

Question 19

How did the Universal Product Code (UPC) barcode become standardized?

Answer 19

The Ad Hoc Committee on the Universal Product Identification Code was formed to establish a universal system, selecting IBM’s version with input from Woodland.

Question 20

What is the core technology behind the “Just Walk Out” shopping experience at Amazon Go stores?

Answer 20

A combination of advanced features like computer vision, sensor fusion, and deep learning to track inventory and customer selections.

Question 21

How does the Amazon Go checkout process function?

Answer 21

Customers scan a QR code to enter, select items, and exit the store, with the technology automatically calculating their bill based on the virtual cart in their Amazon Go app.

Question 22

What are some criticisms regarding the accuracy of the “Just Walk Out” technology?

Answer 22

Occasional errors can occur, requiring customers to contact staff for adjustments.

Question 23

What is the potential future of the “Just Walk Out” shopping concept?

Answer 23

Amazon Go stores suggest a possible future of frictionless shopping experiences, with potential for expansion to more locations.

Question 24

When and where did QR codes gain widespread adoption?

Answer 24

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when restaurants used them for contactless menus due to safety concerns.