Making Books In The Days Of The Linotype

It's funny how sometimes events coincide. Less than a week after guest editor Linotype: The Film – Final Push, a tweet by Erik Spiekermann led me to Making Books which prominently features the Linotype. This vintage short documentary produced by Encyclopædia Britannica Films Inc. in 1947 explains the process from copy setting to binding. Before DTP and computer-operated machines, setting, printing and binding books was a time-consuming and laborious process. The video shows teams of people toiling away to produce a book, providing a fascinating look at the entire production chain. Like Erik Spiekermann says:

Worth [watching] for the voice-over alone.

I would also like to use this post to remind you that you can still help get Kickstarter goal. However people can still pledge above the goal. Douglas Wilson reassured me any extra funding will also be used directly to help make the film even better, amongst others by adding multi-language sub-titling, improving the DVD packaging, and much more. If you haven't done so already, head over to the Kickstarter page and pledge what you can spare.