Typecasting the Grid
Anyone interested in doing this (I'm not sure why you'd want to) can use Excel. First highlight a group of cells in a blank document of the required quantity of characters and lines, and format the cells' borders with solid lines such that they can be seen. Then highlight the group of cells, and format the column width to "0.83" and the row height to "13.5". Then under file/page setup, select the default print setup to a magnification of 91%. At least on my laser printer, this produced a grid that matches the type face and spacing of my old Underwood Universal, which types at 10 characters per inch (is that pica or elite; I can't recall?) The result: instant eye chart. Maybe I won't be doing this again, at least for a while. But it was fun. ;)
posted by Joe V at 1:17 AM
7 Comments:
At first that grid assaulted my eyes, but after a few lines, my nausea subsided and I got used to it:)
Very interesting irony, that some of us try and break away from rigid conformity by employing these machines to open our creativity, yet we imprison our thoughts in these tiny, invisible cells...
Several typospherians have read the Iron Whim. Personally, it kind of drove me crazy. Too academic. Not enough (ironically) about typewriters.
So wait I'm confused, how come even though the Selectric has a 10 or 12 pitch scale is it not in a grid like the rest? The only thing electronic on the machine is it's electric motor. The rest is mechanical.
While this one is interesting in places, I'm waiting for Olivander's book.
@James: Yea, I'm taking this at face value from the book. He could be wrong; I don't have a Selectric to verify when exactly the "grid" disappeared.
This was my first typewriter book I've read; it's not intended as an exhaustive history, just a cultural overview. Flawed, but still interesting.
Your post on the typecasting grid is truly fascinating! It's intriguing to see the meticulous process and dedication you bring to your work. The details you provide offer a unique insight into the artistry behind your craft.
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On a different note, for those interested in exploring or enhancing their own typewriting experiences, I recently stumbled upon a website called "does chime have zelle."
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