Xmsmn Loc: Minnesota

Fascinating thread, always like to learn about stuff that was invisible to me as a kid growing up. Thanks for sharing.
Mark

MrMophoto Loc: Rhode Island "The biggest little"

That was a serious occupational hazard since the main metal used in all that type etc. was lead. I was teaching graphic design when the digital technologies were introduced schools, print houses, couldn't get rid of the old type fast enough. The school I was in was giving buckets of type away, we had two regulars, one made his own bullets and the other made his own fishing sinkers.

drucker Loc: Oregon

Letterpress printing has increased in popularity over the past several years. Old equipment is being dusted off and restored to use. My own press dates from 1902. Fonts of metal type that escaped being remelted for scrap are now prized possessions because very little new type is being made and the matrices for casting many styles are long gone, so finding old type is the only option for some styles. Many communities now have letterpress shops where classes can be taken and/or equipment rented by the hour for personal use.

I'm part of the Northwest Letterpress Network that meets in Portland, Oregon on the second Saturday of the month. The group ranges from "grey hairs" like myself with 50+ years of experience to newbies who are just learning the craft and are full of enthusiasm and questions. Usually someone in the group has answers or suggestions. In addition to printing, the group includes those interested in bookbinding and repair, papermaking, and other associated crafts.

I also volunteer at the C. C. Stern Typefoundry / Museum on the third Saturday. The museum has varied printing equipment but the emphasis is to have typecasting machines in operation during open hours with those present who can explain how the machines function.

bobbyjohn Loc: Dallas, TX

This keyboard reminds me of LINOTYPE.

My father, God rest his soul (d. 1989), worked most of his adult life as a LINOTYPE operator for a couple of newspapers in NYC. LINOTYPE, the predecessor of modern printing technologies, used lead slugs to produce the lines, and then combined to produce the articles and pages. He brought his family, on occasion, to see his workstation. I was fortunate enough to see it in operation in the 1950s.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5slfQizimtg

(Download)

PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA

That looks pretty much like i remember seeing one in the late 50s and early 60s. Brings back some memories.