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The fonts that made us
Great typefaces of history
They’re tiny. They’re intangible. They’re everywhere. They’re what you’re looking at right now. They’re fonts, and they have a bigger impact on you than you might realize. Not only do fonts evoke emotions, but they’re also deeply tied into popular culture. You may not know their names, but you’ll recognize these fonts.
Quick note: Based on their origins as the devices used to render type in a printing press, fonts are more properly called typefaces. The “font” is the digital version. Typefaces can have multiple fonts for their various forms. For the purposes of this essay, I’ll use the word “typeface” when describing the original design, and “fonts” to describe the individual variants.
Bodoni
Do you read Vogue? Love Calvin Klein’s wordmark? You’ve seen Bodoni, whose light serifs and perfect kerning make it a favorite among designers. The tall letters seem elegant without being stretched. Designed by Giambattista Bodoni in the 18th century, Bodoni’s thin horizontal strokes alternate with thick vertical strokes. This stark contrast gives Bodoni a dynamic look, yet an air of sophistication.
Comic Sans
Widely despised by graphic designers and oddly beloved by amateurs, Comic Sans is the perpetual butt of jokes. Even Weird Al calls it out in his song “Tacky.” With a slightly handwritten style, Comic Sans has a friendly look. However, its letters are irregular in height and stroke, which makes graphic designers hate it. These minute flaws can mess up their whole design.
Futura
Futura is a beautiful, easy-to-read sans serif that pretends to be a serif. Its subtle flourishes, uneven crossbars, and open letter give it the best of both worlds. Futura was, appropriately, used as the title font for the film 2001: A Space Odyssey. The typeface’s clean yet futuristic look mirrored the film’s aesthetic. Futura, created in Germany nearly a century ago, is also known for its use in Volkswagen branding materials.
Garamond
Created in by Claude Garamond in the 15th century, this sharp serif features thin strokes yet open lettering that makes it widely appealing. You’ve seen this classy typeface in the American…
