IBM Typewriter Document Creation & Old Typeface Digitisation

[Blaze1]

Hello

I not sure if this is the correct area to post in.  Hopeful it is ok here.

I'm considering converting an old typeface to digital format in the future (something I have never done before) and I'm interested in gathering as much information about it and the process used in creating and preparing the documents it was used in.

The typeface in question is IBM's Bold Face No.1 that was used with some of their electric typewriters such as the IBM Model C and Electric 'Executive'.  Here is a sample:
http://munk.org/typecast/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IBM-1960-Catalog-21.jpg

I have a few question and would appreciate any help.

1) Bold Face No.1 was used extensively in many technical documents and I was wondering how it was combined with technical drawings considering the text was from a typewriter?

2) These technical manuals made use of special characters many of which are not listed as part of the Bold Face character set.  So how were they applied (where did they originate/what typeset) and made to flow so smoothly with the standard text?

3) Does any one know about the history of the Bold Face typeface, whether it was specific to IBM and who created it?

4) As I mentioned earlier I'm interesting in digitising the font so would like to acquire as much information about it as possible regarding size, spacing and other characteristics. Are there any particular places to search?
Is worth contacting IBM for details and will there like be copyright issues?

Thank you

[Joe]

Isn't that just a proportional spaced Courier as opposed to the electronic version of Courier which is monospaced?

[Blaze1]

It's quite a bit different to Courier Joe.  Here are some clearer images:


The bottom of the following:

[StudioMonkey]

Looks very similar to Century Schoolbook Bold

[Blaze1]

It does look similar, it also looks similar to News 701.

[DigiCorn]

I have one that I use which may work: ITC American Typewriter

[Designia(o_O)]

I think finding out as much as you can about the typeface is a good idea before you begin digitizing it.
The first question that comes to my mind is- was the typeface copyrighted, trademarked or patented in anyway
and would you be breaking any laws by digitizing it. You don't want to go through all that work and find out you're a felon.
I use ITC American Typewriter too, it's very clean and has several weights and styles.

[Possum]

To answer your first question, even before phototypesetting, people used to use rubber cement on pasteups instead of wax. It didn't bleed through the paper, so that's probably what was used with your typewritten copy.

[Diddler]

Been about 15 years or so since I've designed a typeface but "back in the day" this was the only program that was available. It was very much like using Illustrator.

http://www.fontlab.com/font-editor/fontographer/

[Blaze1]

I have one that I use which may work: ITC American Typewriter

Thanks DigiCorn.  I have that font, though I'm quite keen on trying to recreate the IBM Bold Face type.  It took me over two years to simply identify it, so I may as well go the whole hog.  :smiley:

[DigitalCrapShoveler]

Been about 15 years or so since I've designed a typeface but "back in the day" this was the only program that was available. It was very much like using Illustrator.

http://www.fontlab.com/font-editor/fontographer/

I still use it on occasion.

[Blaze1]

I think finding out as much as you can about the typeface is a good idea before you begin digitizing it.
The first question that comes to my mind is- was the typeface copyrighted, trademarked or patented in anyway
and would you be breaking any laws by digitizing it. You don't want to go through all that work and find out you're a felon.
I use ITC American Typewriter too, it's very clean and has several weights and styles.

Yes, hopefully I'll be able to get some feedback from IBM about any copyright issues.

Regarding history, it was suggested to me that usually the design of typefaces is outsourced, so one of the major foundries is likely to be responsible for the design. 

[Blaze1]

To answer your first question, even before phototypesetting, people used to use rubber cement on pasteups instead of wax. It didn't bleed through the paper, so that's probably what was used with your typewritten copy.

What prevented the edges of the paste-ups from being visible on the finished page, lack of definition?

[Blaze1]

Been about 15 years or so since I've designed a typeface but "back in the day" this was the only program that was available. It was very much like using Illustrator.

http://www.fontlab.com/font-editor/fontographer/

I was planning on using Fontlab Studio 5, but my understanding is that fontographer is easier to use.  Studio 5 being aimed towards the discerning professional, which saying I am far from would be a huge understatement!

[DigitalCrapShoveler]

You can draw all the characters in Illustrator and import the paths into Fontographer. Done it MANY times.