San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-07-15
TYPE MAKING.
How Great and Small Letters are

1 wonder how many of our boy and
girl readers, says writer in Golden
DAYS, have any knowledge of the vast
amount of mechanical labor required
to turn out such paper as this, and
the majority probably imagine this a
very easy task. This is indeed mis-
taken idea.
The editors, proof-readers, compos-
itors, pressmen and mailing clerks
have their share of work. There is
still another class of workmen, with
out whom those quoted would have
nothing to do. These are the makers
of the types, presses and numerous
other mechanical devices. AS mat
ter of course, the type-casters are pre-
eminent, as they make the most i'm
portant of all the appliances.
All sorts and styles of types are
made in the various type ..foundries
throughout the country, from that In
which this article is printed known
as nonpareil-tO enormous letters,
such as are used in prin ting theatre
cal posters and the like.
These large types are made of wood.
Then, again, there are sizes so small
as to be scarcely readable with the
naked eye, known to the trade as
brilliant, diamond, pearl and so on.
1t is not the purpose of this article
to describe any of the accessories of
printing excepting type, and conse-
quently the first question that pre-
sents itself Is, of what is type metal
composed?
1t is composition of lead, tin, zinc
and anthony. The latter plays a
most important part in the manufac-
turing of type, and it has peculiar
property. Almost all metals contract
while cooling, aud this in itself would
interfere greatly with the typemaking
business.
If either of the four metals, save
the anthony, was used alone in MAX
ing the letters, "a perfectly clear outline
could not be obtained, although the
molds were filled with molten metal,
because when it cooled it would con-
tract, and as o result would destroy
the clear outline of the very minute
types.
With the large letters so much care
would not have to be taken. Now,
property of expanding while cooling,
anu IOr GulS TedSOu IL 10 luNdludDlo
to the type-makers.
1t expands and fills even the small
est mold; hence the perfect outline of
metal types. In addition to this, it
also hardens the composition.
In early days the molds used in
making type were very primitive
affairs, consis ting of device about as
large as a teacup, which cast single
letter at time. This rude, but per-
feet device was in use for long time
in casting types.
A little later on this device of a
mold was improved and made more
useful. Originally the mOulten metal
had to be poured into the mold by
hand, but one of the first steps in the
improvements men toned was to at
tach it 10 n mechanical device so con-
structed as to pump the hot metal
into the mold in an automatic man
neF
This was a great step and rendered
the mOlding process much moro rapid,
Next the automatic device was inn
proved SO that two or three mOlds
could be placed on q single machine,
all of the mOlds being filled by the
automatic pumps. This method OF
casting the types is the one now so
extensively used.
When the little shining metal let
ters are first cast they are not yet
finished. There is u projection on
end nearly as long as the type itself.
AS soon Us the letters are nodded
they 60 to person who breaks OH
the projections.
Il. 70