MODULES MAKE SENSE

[Music] [Music] These electronic devices are units that vary and add to the versatility of computer systems and exchanges of information between units. Corrections and the output of the computer itself are commonly made by paper tape punched in code. Borrowing a term from architecture, the computer men call the units modules. A dictionary gives these definitions. An interchangeable plug-in item containing components, an incremental block of storage or other building block for expanding the computer capacity. The GSA special purpose computer type setting system, which the Monotype Corporation markets, fits these definitions. It offers building block variations to suit most monotype and monoophoto machine setting and line composition too. Whatever the configuration, it's all designed to anticipate tomorrow's needs today. The modular conception then must be ultraodern. But is it? These are modules too. Alphabets of key buttons on a keyboard. Alphabets of type matrices in cases that go onto a casting or film setting machine. And all this began around 70 years ago. Machines like these keyboard and caster each operating independently was a basic module in the new monotype machine composing system. In computer language the keyboard was an input and the caster an output module and the link between them. coded paper tape produced at the input machine to control the mechanism of the production unit and to identify the successive characters in the work being composed to place them in correct order with correct spaces between the words and with lines automatically justified. So the pioneers of the monotype corporation forstalled the computer buffins by making use of the modular conception at the turn of the century. Let's develop our theme. The input device, the keyboard, translates copy into machine acceptable terms. Codes punched into paper tape. It is today have greater resources beneath their hands than those of long ago, whose machines were simpler with fewer keys at their disposal. The mechanisms had been developed over the years, and the key banks have become lopagated. But the principles of today's composition are no different from those which the pioneers established. The tape when placed on the output device. The composition caster controls the feeding of compressed air to selected pistons in two blocks. When pushed up by the air, the pistons govern the travel of the matrix case in two directions. So because of the code control system, any one matrix can be brought precisely to the casting position over the mold at the right moment. The process is continuous and when the machine is running at operational speed the end product of this is this. The birth of these machines established a cardinal principle separation of code punching and type production. Because of this, it is possible to vary the ratio of keyboards to casters according to the particular needs of each printer as these sample installations show. Separation of functions also enables each operator to concentrate wholly on his particular job. Furthermore, it allows supervisors to arrange the work patterns of keyboard and caster operatives independently in the best interests of overall productivity. Improvements can be made to one item of the production unit independently of the other. For example, the display type attachment of the caster was introduced at a different time from the tabulating attachment to the keyboard. These trays contain just a selection of mechanical modules that have been devised through the years to improve the caster's versatility. We have always successfully built on the past for the present and the future. Now, why is all this versatility necessary? In many dictionaries, some pages require the use of more than six alphabets to produce such works and even more complex ones at a sustained economic output. Versatility of equipment is vital. It is vital too in order to maintain the high quality associated right from the beginning with the products of monotype machines and also to ensure the ability of each unit to cope with the largest possible selection of type faces and sizes. These needs were keenly appreciated by the inventor Tolbert Lans. From his original matrix case containing five limited alphabets, we have progressed to seven generous fonts and room for special signs. Keyboards have kept pace with matrix case demands. Their layouts have become steadily more logical. Instant character identification is assured. Our prime objective has always been the production of print of the finest quality. Clean cut, precisely spaced, elegantly proportioned. type design, the creation of drawings and patterns, the production of steel punches, and finally of the character matrices, all are under constant inspection so as to maintain and improve quality. Until the end product of a type design is good enough to stand up to scrutiny under the microscope, it is not ready for production as a new series. Only the best will pass. Thanks to the modular nature of the keyboard and the ability to change modules, key banks, key bars, stop bar cases, and matrix case arrangements, our machines can produce high quality composition in any type, style, size, or measure. They can do this not only in English and in all Latinbased languages, but they can also produce firstass composition in many exotic scripts. And now if you're thinking such modules are all too familiar, how about these? We have some thoroughly modern modules too. These are from our latest machines which include a computer input perforator, a paper tape conversion unit, a range of film setters, and an electronic perforator. Now we'll look at some of them and see how they demonstrate that the modular conception makes sound economic sense. Let's emphasize that economic sense bit. 84.5% of master printers employ fewer than 50 workers. But printers don't necessarily have to be big operators to compose all the varied jobs that may come their way. Their prime need is versatility. And the Monotype Corporation can help even those in a modest way of business to achieve it with up tothe-minute modular equipment. Among our keyboards, casters, and film setters, they will find items for a realistic outlay that will guarantee flexibility and high productivity. And although they may not be able to afford a general computer setup like this one, there's nothing to stop them buying time from a computer bureau. Today's composition caster with unit shift is very versatile indeed. Its case of 272 matrices has one more unit width row than earlier cases because extra movement is given to the matrix case. All rows but the first and last are dual purpose. So that now characters of different widths can be mixed in the same row. As this diagram shows, key bars representing characters so placed have a unit shift lug built into them to cause the unit shift code to be punched into the tape along with a character code. With such improvements, hot metal composition will remain very much with us for the foreseeable future. But if the bark of a printer's composition is designed for litho printing, then a monooto film setter is an ideal machine backed by years of accumulated knowhow and experience. Two single but by no means isolated examples show that the record of reliability is unrivaled. This is a MarkV monof film setter. Let's take off the covers and have a look at it. It retains much that is well known and well tried from earlier generation machines. Paper tape control of air pistons, cam and lever drive for precise timing, familiar mechanism for matrix case positioning and air circuit timing boxes. What's new then? First driven flexibly from the cam shaft gearing, a simple rotary shutter revolving at constant speed under a cover that also stabilizes the matrix case. The aperture is automatically adjusted by lever, spring, and air piston control. You'll see why in a minute. The most important MarkV asset is this matrix case. With the aid of floating accents, double exposure, and low alignment, many more characters can be produced than are in the case. For example, the standard seven alphabet English layout can provide more than 417 characters, eight fixed spaces, and two minimum values of variable spaces like this. The resources of these 17x20 matrix case don't stop there. A unique feature allows some specially designed positions to accommodate either one 4x2 matrix for a mathematical sign or two normal matrices. The standard mathematics arrangement provides for 16 of them, but you could have more. Now you see why the shutter aperture is adjustable. This provision for a variable quantity of large matrices permits the composition of most mathematical formula wholly from keyboard signals. A valuable asset these days when the sciences demand so many special signs. These increased resources are now available not only for the setting of mathematics but for the languages of the world. And now we even take the module away to reproduce chemical formula. Our latest film setters then offer great flexibility in operation and matchless quality. With so many facilities built in as standard items, they are the most consistently performing and most versatile film setters in the world today. Regularly at first light the lries for the docks are loaded and begin to move out from our south's works starting new film setters on journeys to all parts of the world. This steady outflow is the real testimonial to their quality and reliability. We provide input devices worthy of them. First this keyboard. The little box gives a clue. The white lamps show a standard mode of operation. The red lamps light when shift conditions are applied. When a sizable number of keys are devoted to functions, justification, and fixed spaces, not enough are left to exploit fully the very generous font synopsies made possible by 340 matrix case positions. So, we extend the modular nature of the keyboard by introducing a pneumatically operated key transfer system. Each keybank can be moved a quarter of an inch laterally and because of this many keys can actuate two key bars. Transfer is always like for like usually by complete alphabets. On the left hand bank these small capitals are substituted for Roman lowercase. On the right hand bank, keys bearing bold character identities can activate those key bars which produce italic codes. Where additional characters or signs may be required, these can be operated from the positions of the Roman capital keys. Once again, the modular resources of the key banks have been extended. Indeed, with chemical formun, they have reached a new peak in the composition of signaled complex setting. transfer substitutes double bonds for single ones. Most importantly, the system is built into the standard production units. It is necessary to change only the stop bar case, key banks, some key bars and the matrix case in order to produce specimens like these automatically. A monotype electronic perforator is an ideal partner for a MarkV film setter, but it will also serve other monotype and monopoto machines. Its display head shows vital information. Its ultramodern key switch banks are linked to a computer and a tape perforator. One of its major advantages is automatically calculated justification with audible warning at a single keystroke. [Music] It all happens inside here. And at the front, these tumbler switches make remarkably easy work of tabulation. Up to 12 column measures can be preset in m and units. Justification for each column is automatic with one keystroke. The tabulator push buttons on the display head light up. Columns in excess of 12 can be catered for semi-automatically. Saving of time and keystrokes is impressive. The console controls other parameters and functions. Any one of 13 spacing modes from this dial. Set allocation unit adding line measure line cut. The punch unit perforates 31 channel tape. Some of the facilities preset on the computer are visually interpreted for the operator. Line measure is displayed on the M and unit scales in descending figures. The lower left hand scale shows the approximate value of the variable spaces to aid justification decisions. Push buttons initiate continuous functions. Unit add, low alignment, character delete, letter space, and punch inhibit. For non-ontinuous use, most of these can be found with other function keys on the key switch banks. Notable economies result from the use of sum, line, fill, and center. For instance, a closer look at the very modern key banks shows they are arranged in alphabet modules, giving generous displays. When depressed, the key switches strike contacts on circuit boards and begin generating the codes. The punches will perforate. Each matrix case arrangement has its own circuit layout. There are standard ones with wide applications. Others can be designed to customers requirements. Other variables are multi-cord cables, each to suit a different machine, and the plug that carries unit and spacing mode information. A major change of circuit boards, unit plugs, and cables to suit a new job is made very quickly. In order to measure the electronic perforator's performance and compare it with that of other keyboards, systems analysts carry out tests using pen recorders to plot every keystroke. Each test means hours of work for the analyst. He studies the traces to discover keyboarding patterns and significant function factors. From these time and keystroking comparisons can be made and outputs exactly measured. Tests like these carried out in a customer's works with his machines and his operator show that the perforator can raise productivity in straight text setting by about 25%. As jobs become more complex, the gains increase to 50% and often more for tabular copy. certain jobs such as this catalog which is amended seasonally can be tackled profitably with the help of a general purpose computer. A monotype computer input perforator could feed the information to the computer. The narrow tape output could then be converted by a monotype paper tape conversion unit to 31 channel tape for use on monotype and monofto machines. The function of a monotype computer input perforator is to punch into a tape the character and space codes of an unjustified word string accompanied by other codes to identify fonts and typographical style points. The computer will process this data to suit any type setting machine and output a tape that will later control the production of a completely justified and hyphenated text possibly made up into the form of pages. The use of different circuit boards beneath the key switch banks makes it possible to produce input tapes of six, seven, and eight channels for any computer system and to cater for an infinite variety of printing and other data processing demands. The perforator key switch banks conforming to the one key one character principle maintain and extend the monotype modular system. Normally as each key switch is tapped, each character identification is fully automatic. Each is generated by just one keystroke. A high rate of productivity is thus assured. Nevertheless, we can provide manual shift along with the automatic if a customer feels it can be of use for specialized work. Here's a piece of copy to be set using semmanual shift. The font and character codes are now separate. One keystroke selects the font. The code remains suppressed until another shift key is tapped. He starts in Roman, then presses the bold key and carries on setting. Enterprising exploitation of this principle leads to key switch banks like these individually planned for work requiring a very large number of special characters. On the left hand bank, the keys numbered 1 to 8 control the alphabet shift states of the lowerase and capital characters displayed. It is also possible to concentrate on a basic alphabet typewriter style for simple bulk setting, thus enabling anyone used to conventional input devices to operate the perforator productively without special training. Moreover, an operator trained on standard monotype keyboards can move smoothly into the field of computer type setting wherever a monotype computer input perforator is installed. He needs only to get used to the light short keystroke in order to become immediately productive in this unfamiliar orbit. The perforator can provide input tape for specialurpose computers as well as generalpurpose systems. The narrow output tape of all computers is processed by a monotype paper tape conversion unit which produces 31 channel tape to control monotype and monopoto machines. This reader head senses the narrow tape codes and the electronics translate them into 31 channel codes. This is our research and development department where years of experience are combined with a thorough understanding of the printer's needs both today's and tomorrows. In these back rooms and workshops, men are thinking and planning ahead to increase the versatility and productivity of first class type setting. with such improvements as the variable film feed system on the Mark 5 film setter. Here also by adapting modular concepts to the resources of new technologies they are creating machines like the high-speed 600 monof film setter in order that an increasing variety of monotype machines may be available to meet the changing requirements of printers all over the world. They are ensuring that the printer can develop and expand his type setting plant in the most realistic and practicable way. They are proving that modules, our kind of modules make sense.