The American Type Founders (ATF) is one of the most storied names in the history of type design, and the American Type Founders Collection Foundry represents the continuation of this legacy. Established in the late 19th century, ATF was a major force in the development of typography, creating many of the typefaces that shaped print and advertising in the 20th century. The foundry’s influence extended well beyond its heyday, as its typefaces became icons in American and international design. Today, the American Type Founders Collection Foundry seeks to preserve, celebrate, and adapt these iconic typefaces for modern use.
The collection features a wide range of fonts, including some of the most beloved typefaces of the 20th century. From the geometric beauty of Futura to the decorative flair of Cooper Black, the ATF Collection Foundry not only maintains the heritage of American typography but also updates these fonts for the needs of today’s designers. Whether for print, digital media, or branding, the fonts from the ATF Collection Foundry are a bridge between the rich history of American type and the cutting-edge design world of today.
The Origins of American Type Founders
The American Type Founders (ATF) was established in 1892, the result of a merger between 23 different type foundries across the United States. At the time, the type industry was highly fragmented, with numerous small foundries producing type for regional markets. By consolidating these foundries, ATF aimed to streamline production, reduce competition, and establish a more efficient and profitable business model. This move also positioned ATF as a powerhouse in the type industry, enabling it to dominate the American type market for decades.
The merger that created ATF brought together some of the most important type foundries of the time, including Bruce Type Foundry, MacKellar, Smiths & Jordan, and Inland Type Foundry. These foundries had established themselves as leaders in type design, and the consolidation allowed ATF to capitalize on their expertise. With the combined talents and resources of these smaller companies, ATF quickly became the largest type foundry in the United States, setting the standard for type design and production.
Under the leadership of typographers like Morris Fuller Benton, ATF flourished. Benton, who served as ATF’s chief type designer, was responsible for many of the foundry’s most famous typefaces, including Garamond, Franklin Gothic, and News Gothic. His work laid the foundation for American typography, and his contributions helped to shape the visual identity of the 20th century.
The Rise and Influence of ATF Typefaces
During the first half of the 20th century, ATF became synonymous with high-quality typefaces that were used in newspapers, magazines, advertising, and branding. The company’s fonts became essential tools for printers and designers across the United States, helping to define the visual language of modern print media. ATF typefaces were known for their readability, versatility, and aesthetic appeal, making them suitable for a wide range of uses, from body text to headlines.
Some of the most influential typefaces designed by ATF include:
1. Garamond
ATF’s revival of Garamond was one of the first modern adaptations of this classical serif typeface. Originally designed by Claude Garamond in the 16th century, Garamond was reinterpreted by Morris Fuller Benton for ATF in the early 20th century. ATF Garamond became one of the most popular serif typefaces of the time, known for its elegance and legibility. It was widely used in book publishing and became a standard choice for designers seeking a classical yet modern typeface.
2. Franklin Gothic
Franklin Gothic, also designed by Morris Fuller Benton, is one of the most iconic American typefaces ever created. A bold sans-serif typeface, Franklin Gothic was designed to be both highly readable and visually impactful. Its strong, sturdy letterforms made it ideal for headlines, advertisements, and signage. Over the years, Franklin Gothic has been used in everything from newspaper mastheads to corporate branding, and it remains a favorite among designers for its bold, American aesthetic.
3. News Gothic
News Gothic is another Morris Fuller Benton creation that became a workhorse of the American newspaper and publishing industries. Designed as a sans-serif typeface with a more subtle, understated appearance than Franklin Gothic, News Gothic was widely used for body text and captions. Its clean, minimalist letterforms made it a popular choice for editorial design, and it has continued to be a favorite for its versatility and legibility.
4. Cooper Black
One of the most distinctive typefaces produced by ATF is Cooper Black, designed by Oswald Bruce Cooper in 1922. With its bold, rounded letterforms, Cooper Black became an instant hit in advertising and display type. It is often associated with the bold, playful aesthetic of the 1960s and 1970s, but its origins in the early 20th century show its timeless appeal. Cooper Black’s friendly, approachable style has made it a go-to choice for designers looking to create eye-catching, memorable headlines.
5. Bodoni
ATF’s adaptation of Bodoni brought the elegance of Giambattista Bodoni’s 18th-century typeface into the modern age. ATF’s Bodoni was designed to be more robust and functional for print, while still retaining the high contrast and vertical stress that characterized the original design. ATF Bodoni became a popular choice for fashion magazines, luxury branding, and formal invitations, where its classical elegance added a touch of sophistication.
The Decline and Resurgence of ATF
Despite its early success, the mid-20th century brought challenges for ATF. The rise of phototypesetting in the 1950s and 1960s disrupted the traditional type foundry business model, as printers began to shift away from metal type. ATF struggled to adapt to this new technology and eventually filed for bankruptcy in 1993. The company’s extensive library of typefaces, however, remained a valuable asset, and many of its fonts continued to be licensed and used by designers around the world.
In the years following ATF’s bankruptcy, several companies and designers sought to preserve the legacy of its typefaces by digitizing and re-releasing them for modern use. The American Type Founders Collection Foundry is part of this broader effort to keep the ATF name alive and relevant in the digital age. By updating classic ATF typefaces and making them available for digital platforms, the ATF Collection Foundry ensures that these iconic fonts remain accessible to contemporary designers.
The American Type Founders Collection Foundry Today
Today, the American Type Founders Collection Foundry focuses on preserving and reviving the classic typefaces that made ATF a dominant force in 20th-century typography. By offering digital versions of ATF’s most famous fonts, the foundry allows designers to use these historical typefaces in modern projects. The collection includes a wide range of fonts, from traditional serifs like Garamond and Bodoni to bold display fonts like Cooper Black and Franklin Gothic.
One of the primary goals of the ATF Collection Foundry is to maintain the integrity of the original designs while adapting them for contemporary needs. This means updating the fonts to work seamlessly in digital environments, ensuring that they perform well on screen and in print. The foundry also offers expanded character sets, including support for multiple languages and modern typographic features like OpenType.
In addition to preserving ATF’s historical typefaces, the foundry has also explored new avenues for type design, commissioning contemporary designers to create fonts that build on ATF’s legacy. These new typefaces are designed with the same attention to detail and quality that characterized ATF’s original work, ensuring that the foundry remains a vital force in the world of typography.
Legacy and Influence
The influence of ATF and the American Type Founders Collection Foundry cannot be overstated. Many of the typefaces designed by ATF have become so ingrained in the fabric of American design that they are often taken for granted, appearing in everything from corporate logos to street signage to digital interfaces. These fonts helped to shape the visual language of the 20th century, and they continue to be widely used and admired by designers today.
By preserving and reviving these classic typefaces, the American Type Founders Collection Foundry ensures that the legacy of ATF remains alive and relevant in the digital age. The foundry’s commitment to both historical preservation and modern innovation allows designers to access the best of American typography, whether they are working on print publications, websites, or branding projects.
Conclusion
The American Type Founders Collection Foundry plays a crucial role in maintaining the legacy of one of the most important type foundries in history. By preserving and updating ATF’s iconic typefaces, the foundry offers designers the opportunity to use some of the most influential fonts ever created. Whether through classic serifs like Garamond and Bodoni or bold, modern sans-serifs like Franklin Gothic and News Gothic, the American Type Founders Collection Foundry ensures that the rich tradition of American typography continues to inspire and shape the future of design.
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