I’m wondering which typefaces might typically have been used in science textbooks of the 1950s. My guess is that most British publishers would still have used a serif face (possibly even with oldstyle figures?), whereas American books might have something more modernist, maybe a slab serif or Franklin. But which ones?
If anyone knows of scanned images of such things, so much the better.
Most primer schoolbooks in the USA were set in Century Schoolbook - a square slab serif for easier letter recognition.
See Rucola Run.
Run Rucola Run.
My “Fun With Dick and Jane” 1st reader was in Century Schoolbook. Big Bill the Cop was an Oldstyle Figure :-)
ChrisL
See Spot.
See Spot run.
Run Spot run.
(And folks wonder why my dog is named “Spot”....) :-)
Well it could be Baby Salley :-)
ChrisL
Well, if you were a white Bull Terrier with a big black mark over your right eye, it would be obvious. ;-)
Our Gang?
ChrisL
Nope, that’s an American Staffordshire Terrier. AmStaffs are a different kettle of fish altogether (and usually identified as Pit Bulls these days: ick!).
Rent “Patton” (or watch the next time it’s on AMC) and watch the last hour or so — now there is a brillant Bullie: acting like he’s afraid of a fou-fou dog.... ;-)
Ha!
Math textbooks of that era were generally set in Monotype Modern. A minority would have been in Monotype Old Style. You’ll probably also find some in Times, Baskerville, Caledonia, and the other massively popular book faces of the day.
Hope this helps.
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