Stop Stop Stop Linotron

Year Published: 1980s

Creator: Mergenthaler Linotype Co.

Description: This early 1980s film "Stop Stop Stop Linotron" promotes the Linotron, a computerized, high speed photo-type setting system developed by Mergenthaler Linotype Co. and CBS laboratories. The film first discusses the challenges of managing the accelerating rate of change and the explosion of information in modern communication. It highlights the limitations of traditional typesetting methods and introduces Linatron, a high-speed photo-type setting system developed by Mergenthaler Linotype Company and CBS Laboratories. The Linotron combines computer speeds with high-quality typographic output, efficiently composing pages without delays between lines or columns. The system uses a character generator to select and display characters on a cathode ray tube, producing output with precision and speed. Linatron is positioned as a solution to the growing demand for efficient and high-quality typography in various fields, including publishing, printing, and computer-generated printout, addressing the challenges posed by the ever-increasing flow of information. 00:00 Opens with an overview of the rapid acceleration of change and how it impacts communication. The challenge is managing the increasing amount of information and distributing it efficiently. 0:33: The digital computer aids in handling large quantities of information but produces low-quality output that resembles a typewriter, which is not ideal for professional use. Conventional typesetting methods still struggle to keep up with computers. 1:16: Introduction to Linotron, a high-speed photo-type setting system developed by Mergenthaler Linotype Company and CBS Laboratories. It operates at computer speeds but delivers traditional graphic arts-quality typography. 1:56: Explanation of Linotron’s three main components: the control unit, the character generator, and the output/display unit. The control unit manages the system, providing easy access to settings, fault indicators, and speed selection. 2:44: Details on the three composing speeds of the system: normal, high-speed proofreading, and fast speed for line-printer-quality output. 3:11: The character generator selects characters from a grid and transmits them as film signals to the display unit. The system composes entire pages at once, which eliminates delays between lines or columns. 3:59: The process of composition is described, from the magnetic tape input to the character generator selecting typefaces and sending signals to the cathode ray tube. The system composes a page rapidly, and the output is produced in high volumes. 6:03: Details on Linotron’s page composition capabilities and how the system maintains high-quality typography. A precision-made font grid is used to select characters, with no access time for point size changes. 7:05 :A discussion on the quality of the Linotron output, with input from renowned type designer Herman Zup. The system accommodates a variety of typefaces and point sizes without compromising quality. 8:03: Future applications of Linotron in printing, publishing, and other fields are explored, with emphasis on ongoing development. Linotron is positioned as the solution to the “information explosion” problem. 9:20: The film concludes by reiterating that Linotron’s technology is available today and is a key solution for the increasingly complex communication needs of the future. Website: www.PeriscopeFilm.com

Online Copy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6lzL8rVlTg

Metadata Source:YouTube