I was an operator for over 30 years. We got phased out in 1980 by computers. I learned to do page make-up on the computer, but it never felt the same. I'm now going on 75.
I have posted before that I operated linotypes for 17 years, last about my age of 39, now 82.
Fascinatingt o me tday how the words and expressions of young people have changed. They often use the word "like" to answer or awsum" to describe something. But worse how often
the F word is used. I know it will not go over well, but as an oldie itappears as a moral
decay of the nation and world. Today it is a "form" of Godliness, but denying the power
This brings back so many memories, setting the type, placing it in the chase and locking it in. We also had some older platen presses, one of my biggest fears was losing my concentration and having my hand crushed by the type. We were still using these to print wedding invitations and other formal printing. I was always fascinated by how it worked, pure genius.
My dad owned a print shop for years. I can remember melting the old type down and pouring it into molds to reuse it. It was my favorite job in the shop. An early form of recycling.
Do you know anyone interested in buying a machine. I have a model 31. I believe it was built in the 1930's. I may be wrong. I have pictures if you would like to see. I am in St. Louis, MO.
I was a Linotype operator at a weekly newspaper when I was in my late teens, early twenties. I did that for about four years. It was an amazing machine, and I hope some of them have been saved from the scrap yards.
Many memories. Started running a linotype in Aberdeen, SD, in 1961, and ended up in Anchorage, AK, Paper (Anchorage Daily News) used them 'til mid-70s. Set type in commercial shop for making rubber stamps after that.
This is just absolutely fascinating. I met Ed Osterhaus in Omaha, NE today and he has retired. He is dismantling his linotype machine and it's so sad to see 51 years of this gentleman's livelihood being scrapped and sold off. He has some old printing presses and paper shears and I feel like it's the end of an era. :(
Spent about 6 years of my life on these things in a high pressure newspaper office. Nice to operate when maintained in pristine condition, a nightmare when not.
Jan 6th 1976 I walked into the newsroom at the Evening Post in Wgton New Zealand. I was a 16 yr old apprentice and a printers devil. I saw and heard 30 linos running, smelt the boiling lead and was blown away. Now i'm 50 and own 2 ARAB platens and an Albion handpress. Im the Gumtree Press. There is one Lino still running in NZ, in Auckland. Ive had an A4 story set in 10pt Times R. It arrived today. It still smells the same.
Thanks for posting the vid. I was intrigued by this device after seeing it featured in a Twilight Zone episode (Printer's Devil).
Just amazing how we went from these giant clunky machines (which were revolutionary for their time) to the svelte and sophisticated computers and word processors.
I'm an aeronautics engineer, so I have a natural admiration and fascination for technology, new and old. Humanity ingenuity is ceaselessly breathtaking if we took the time to appreciate it.
Ottmar Mergenthaler (May 11, 1854 October 28, 1899) was a German inventor, who has been called a second Gutenberg because his invention of a machine that could easily and quickly set movable type. This machine revolutionized the art of printing. Prior to Mergenthaler's invention of the linotype in 1884, no newspaper in the world had more than eight pages.
My Dad used to run and repair one of these. However, molten lead gives off extremely toxic fumes. Surely they wouldn't pass muster as far as OSHA issues today. I wouldn't want to be around one.
My dad also worked all his life with these machines and used to come home with little bits of melted lead on his clothes sometimes! He lived to 84. Just hearing the lingo of linotype brings back the best childhood memories for me!
As a kid in high school I was hired by a weekly newspaper and I was trained to run one, so I became their linotype operator for five years. These marvelous machines should be preserved instead of being sold for scrap.
that machine is an engineering masterpiece! WOW all i can say is WOW .. i wonder how many man hours went into its development probably tens of thousands or more! I am duly impressed
I had the awesome opotunity to operate one of these (of course, with the help of my instructor)... And I burned my hand picking the welded line :( But it was SO cool. I wanna do it again!
1972-90-ig dolgoztam linó szedőgépen, Budapesten, Zrínyi nyomdában, a 20-as!! gépen. Nosztalgiával néztem ezt a kisfilmet. Böbe
UErzsi 1 week ago
@UErzsi Translated:
1972-90 worked until taking lino machine, Budapest, Zrínyi press, the 20's! machine. I watched this movie a little nostalgia. Böbe
oldengine1 1 week ago
I was an operator for over 30 years. We got phased out in 1980 by computers. I learned to do page make-up on the computer, but it never felt the same. I'm now going on 75.
dontheshark 2 months ago
I have posted before that I operated linotypes for 17 years, last about my age of 39, now 82.
Fascinatingt o me tday how the words and expressions of young people have changed. They often use the word "like" to answer or awsum" to describe something. But worse how often
the F word is used. I know it will not go over well, but as an oldie itappears as a moral
decay of the nation and world. Today it is a "form" of Godliness, but denying the power
thereof. Offered as just food for thought.
delcee715 3 months ago
my dad work in hongkong gov for over 30 or 40yrs
i dont know how he do it
also not sure if he do in chinese too
but suspect lead poison due to that abit
n got low salary
dead already now
tks video
bbfunhk 3 months ago
I operated the linotype for 17 yrs. which included for the Navy on Guam. Started
as a high school student and became a journeyman earning double the national
average in 1949 Don Crews, age 82.
delcee715 3 months ago
This brings back so many memories, setting the type, placing it in the chase and locking it in. We also had some older platen presses, one of my biggest fears was losing my concentration and having my hand crushed by the type. We were still using these to print wedding invitations and other formal printing. I was always fascinated by how it worked, pure genius.
PistabachiCalifornia 4 months ago
My dad owned a print shop for years. I can remember melting the old type down and pouring it into molds to reuse it. It was my favorite job in the shop. An early form of recycling.
cen756 7 months ago
Printer's Devil
zambot3 8 months ago
There are 5 or 6 line o type in Washington DC. THe are in the Museum of modern inventions.
M. Morgenthaler
Biscuitom 10 months ago
Do you know anyone interested in buying a machine. I have a model 31. I believe it was built in the 1930's. I may be wrong. I have pictures if you would like to see. I am in St. Louis, MO.
kgbsscups 1 year ago
I was a Linotype operator at a weekly newspaper when I was in my late teens, early twenties. I did that for about four years. It was an amazing machine, and I hope some of them have been saved from the scrap yards.
XL2man 1 year ago
Great demo, Dean!
milo066 1 year ago
Inventor of this machine was a genius. Enginering masterpice.
movax20h 1 year ago
This is the most fascinating machine I have seen for a VERY long time!
Thanks for sharing!
kaapiovuohi 1 year ago
Many memories. Started running a linotype in Aberdeen, SD, in 1961, and ended up in Anchorage, AK, Paper (Anchorage Daily News) used them 'til mid-70s. Set type in commercial shop for making rubber stamps after that.
mikeylik7051 2 years ago
this is cool!
TheShadowstar101 2 years ago
Great memories.... thanks for posting
CaribbeanLounger 2 years ago
This is just absolutely fascinating. I met Ed Osterhaus in Omaha, NE today and he has retired. He is dismantling his linotype machine and it's so sad to see 51 years of this gentleman's livelihood being scrapped and sold off. He has some old printing presses and paper shears and I feel like it's the end of an era. :(
erinlassley 2 years ago
The LinoType machines now are upgraded to plastic type exstrusion
hot metal is not used.
bpkeane1 2 years ago
In all of Chicago area, there is not one Linotype machine in operation. Except maybe an odd shop or two. All printing is now cold type.
rdadal 2 years ago
Spent about 6 years of my life on these things in a high pressure newspaper office. Nice to operate when maintained in pristine condition, a nightmare when not.
knausspiano 2 years ago
Jan 6th 1976 I walked into the newsroom at the Evening Post in Wgton New Zealand. I was a 16 yr old apprentice and a printers devil. I saw and heard 30 linos running, smelt the boiling lead and was blown away. Now i'm 50 and own 2 ARAB platens and an Albion handpress. Im the Gumtree Press. There is one Lino still running in NZ, in Auckland. Ive had an A4 story set in 10pt Times R. It arrived today. It still smells the same.
treborif 2 years ago
Thanks for posting the vid. I was intrigued by this device after seeing it featured in a Twilight Zone episode (Printer's Devil).
Just amazing how we went from these giant clunky machines (which were revolutionary for their time) to the svelte and sophisticated computers and word processors.
I'm an aeronautics engineer, so I have a natural admiration and fascination for technology, new and old. Humanity ingenuity is ceaselessly breathtaking if we took the time to appreciate it.
transversa0 3 years ago
Ottmar Mergenthaler (May 11, 1854 October 28, 1899) was a German inventor, who has been called a second Gutenberg because his invention of a machine that could easily and quickly set movable type. This machine revolutionized the art of printing. Prior to Mergenthaler's invention of the linotype in 1884, no newspaper in the world had more than eight pages.
oldengine1 3 years ago
Awesome. I grew up around these machines (and other relics of hot lead printing. Really brings back great memories - Thanks!
moucon 3 years ago
I operated one for several years at various print shops & newspapers in Southern California. They sure were fun.
harleyboi1 3 years ago
My Dad used to run and repair one of these. However, molten lead gives off extremely toxic fumes. Surely they wouldn't pass muster as far as OSHA issues today. I wouldn't want to be around one.
muzician21 3 years ago
My dad also worked all his life with these machines and used to come home with little bits of melted lead on his clothes sometimes! He lived to 84. Just hearing the lingo of linotype brings back the best childhood memories for me!
NettieM5 2 years ago
As a kid in high school I was hired by a weekly newspaper and I was trained to run one, so I became their linotype operator for five years. These marvelous machines should be preserved instead of being sold for scrap.
XL2man 3 years ago
Beautiful video. Thanks for uploading it! What a *fascinating* technology.
toresbe 4 years ago 3
that machine is an engineering masterpiece! WOW all i can say is WOW .. i wonder how many man hours went into its development probably tens of thousands or more! I am duly impressed
OrganicDrew 4 years ago
This machine is a mechanical computer. Many dont realise this. Its not known to many. Awesome on how it distributes back the font moulds.
jackvictor 4 years ago
This machine actually pours lead type bars and uses steel bars to press the characters.
douro20 4 years ago
I had the awesome opotunity to operate one of these (of course, with the help of my instructor)... And I burned my hand picking the welded line :( But it was SO cool. I wanna do it again!
gustavogf 4 years ago
Good luck the are all but eliminated in certain parts of the world! Everything is computer direct to plate now.
dmaverick72 4 years ago
hearing the click-click-click took me back over 45 years. Great film!
lobell74 4 years ago
@lobell74 Where did you work? See my post (mikeylik7051)
mikeylik7051 1 year ago