WSC 2024 #1_ Lost and Font

Lost and Found WSC 2024: Part #1

500+ years of typography evolution
- Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press in the mid-15th century.
- Before this, books were handwritten by monks and read only by the elite.
Evolution of typefaces
- Nicolas Jenson created the first Roman typeface in 1470.
- Aldus Manutius and Francesco Griffo created the first italic typeface in 1501.
- William Caslon created the “Old Style” type in 1734.
- John Baskerville created Transitional typefaces in 1757.
Development of sans serif typefaces
- William Caslon IV developed the first sans serif type in 1816.
- Edward Johnston designed the typeface for the London Underground in 1916.
Digital font advancements
- Introduction of TrueType fonts in the late 1980s.
- Development of OpenType fonts in 1997.
- Introduction of web fonts in Internet Explorer 4 in 1998.

Introduction of Calibri
- Designed by Lucas de Groot in 2002–2004.
- Released with Microsoft Office 2007 and Windows Vista.
Reasons for choosing Calibri
- Optimized for onscreen display.
- Default font for Microsoft Office to cater to digital consumption.
Recognition
- Won the TDC2 2005 award from the Type Directors Club.

Replacement of Calibri with Bierstadt
- Microsoft's decision to change the default font to Bierstadt.
- Font designer Steve Matteson developed the new font.
Potential impact
- Microsoft aims to refresh its look and potentially increase subscriptions.

History of the London Underground
- World's first underground railway opened in 1863.
- Expansion and electrification by Charles Tyson Yerkes in the 20th century.
Facts about the Tube
- Invention to clear street congestion.
- Famous stop at Kings Cross station from The Harry Potter franchise.
- Consists of 11 lines and 272 stations.

Evolution of the London Underground font
- Original font introduced by Edward Johnston in 1916.
- Adapted to create “Johnston100” with minor changes for modern needs.

Serif vs. Sans Serif
- Serif fonts have decorative lines, while sans serif fonts are more minimalistic.
Usage differences
- Serif fonts are traditional and formal, commonly used in books and newspapers.
- Sans serif fonts offer a modern and simplistic feel, like Google's logo change in 2015.

State Department changed font to Calibri from Times New Roman
- Times New Roman used for over two decades
- Change aimed to assist visually impaired employees
- Recommended by the secretary’s office of diversity and inclusion
Previous font change in 2004 from Courier New 12 to Times New Roman
- Times New Roman considered more modern and cleaner
Concerns raised about aesthetics and inconvenience of the font change
Accessibility issues with Times New Roman for individuals with disabilities
Font expert Thomas Phinney prefers Bookman Old Style

Pushback within the State Department against font change
- Employees complained about inconvenience and unaesthetic font
- Expectation of internal revolt
Font change mandated for accessibility, not aesthetics

Thomas Phinney, a forensic font expert, uses typography in legal cases
- Used in will forgery case with Adobe Systems
Typeface selection crucial for legal documents
Typography can impact reader's mood
Phinney's background in graphic arts and psychology
Cases involving font analysis for legal requirements and nefarious activities

Backlash against self-checkout systems growing
Issues with misidentification, merchandise losses, and security in self-checkout
Purpose of self-checkout to reduce labor expenses
Customers exploit self-checkout for cheaper products

History of the bar code
- Originated in Troy, Ohio in 1974
- Inspired by Morse Code for supermarket efficiency
- Laser invention crucial for barcode technology advancement
Kroger Company and RCA key players in barcode development

Barcode history continued
- IBM's rectangular barcode won competition in 1973
- Mass adoption in the 1980s with retailers like Kmart and Walmart
Barcode's impact on manufacturing, market research, and production efficiency
President George H.W. Bush recognized Joe Woodland's contribution
Rumor about Hobby Lobby not using barcodes due to religious beliefs

Technology is increasingly used in supermarkets in 2023
Consumers prefer convenience over consumption, leading to the rise of digital services for grocery shopping
Nielsen and the Food Marketing Institute study shows 50% prefer online shopping, expected to increase to 70% by 2025
Examples of new technologies in supermarkets include AI for personalized recommendations, mobile apps for digital payments, and augmented reality apps for product information
Dark stores are emerging as warehouses for online shoppers

Amazon Go offers a unique shopping experience with "Just Walk Out" technology
Utilizes computer vision, sensor fusion, and deep learning for a checkout-free process
Customers need the Amazon Go app, an Amazon account, and a supported smartphone to shop
Amazon Go stores offer various items and ready-to-eat meals
Plans to expand the technology globally to more locations

UPC barcodes were insufficient for the 2000s and 2010s, leading to the development of QR codes
QR codes were invented by Masahiro Hara from Dense Wave during a game of Go
QR codes allowed for quicker reading and more data storage than barcodes
Became popular in the 2010s and saw a surge during the COVID-19 pandemic for contactless interactions

QR codes became more popular during the pandemic for contactless menus and payments
Some restaurant owners prefer paper menus for the dining experience
QR codes save money, space, and allow for easy menu updates
Digital menus help with staffing issues and reduce the need for servers
Tied to loyalty programs to boost sales in restaurants

QR codes have been used since 1994, but gained popularity globally during the pandemic for touchless interactions