My father operated a linotype machine for 30 years at our small town paper in upstate New York. I would stop in and say hi on my way home from school and during summer and he would make slugs for me and my friends with our name on them. Really wish they I had kept just one. I still remember how proud he was when he showed me his first $500 paycheck.
My husband Jim was a Linotype operator for 30 years in New Haven Connecticut. He still tells me stories about how much he enjoyed going to work and the feeling of accomplishment. He still has lead and printing ink under his fingers.
Thanks for this. My father operated a linotype at the time of his first marriage at the end of WWII. I found this out from a newspaper wedding announcement. I never knew he did this.
My dad, who just passed away in October, was also a Linotype operator in Denver. Then when most of the Linotypes had phased out, he was a machinist who around fixing the remaining few. I can remember visiting him at work, and he'd give me slugs with my name printed on them, and I'd use them as stamps. I loved watching your dad work. Thanks for posting!
I was last in the line as a Lino operator before computer technology took a hold. I worked for a newspaper group in the UK. The Linotype is a wonderful piece of machinery. It has spirit and a character quite unique from any other mechanical equipment that was ever invented. I was good at my job because I always maintained my machine on a daily basis. Whenever anything went wrong there was always the Lino mechanic around to fix it. Hot metal - a composition of lead, tin and antimony.
Thank you so much for posting this. My grandfather owned a print company out of our garage and he had two of these machines. This brings back wonderful memories of spending time with him watching this big machine run and the smell of the ink, playing with the keys and just the sounds. I always remember the 'tick tick tick' of the keys falling and dropping back into the magazine
Thanks for posting this. My dad was a linotype operator in Melbourne Australia. I grew up visiting him at his work (he had his own small business), always loved those wonderful machines, used to play with the old font bits and spent lots of time with him proof reading. I never realized the keyboard was not a qwerty keyboard until years later when he was trying to chat with me and couldn't type at all!
Thank you for sharing. I find printing in all forms very fascinating and hope to see one of these machines operating in person before they completely disappear.
I was also an linotype operator for over 30 years. It was a great trade. Back in the 70's I went to the Smithsonian, and went through their printing exhibit. They had a linotype machine on display, and my kids joked at how I would someday be replaced by a computer. Little did I know. I am almost 75 now. If I had the opportunity, I would jump at the chance to work on a lino again.
I did my apprenticeship at SAAN - South African Associated Newspapers - back in the early 70's as a Compositor. When I attained the proper 'knowledge' I operated both Linotype and the somewhat quicker Intertype typesetting machines. I loved 'hanging' lines - when you were actually typing & delivering lines beyond the capability & technology of the time...
My grandfather was also a linotype operator. Many times he tried to explain about making a "slug". He was 70 years old when the paper switched to computers and he worked 2 more years with the new technology but never gave up his love of the old linotype machine
I, too, was a Linotype/Intertype operator. Eldon had a little trouble with his dissing bar but he fixed it ok. My printing days were great and I worked with wonderful people. Happy days! Pica, nonpareil, 3-point lead.
I never cease to marvel how the newspapers got out at all let alone on time given how comparatively primitive but fascinating was the technology. It is important it be kept alive through more modern technology so those who did not experience it can marvel at it.
I worked for a financial printer in Boston back in the early 1980's, and I witnessed the conversion from the linotype to "cold type." The linotype operators had to be retrained to work on computers, and while some were able to adapt to the change, others were not. It was very sad to witness the end of an era.
I used to work a Model 8 Linotype back in the '70's. There was a Model 48 Linotype as well but that was used by the boss. The Model 8 was covered in an old cloth sheet and hadn't been used for 10 years, but one day a large book came in to typeset and the cover came off the Model 8 and over the period of a week or so it was running like clockwork. No real training as such just learn the keyboard and go for it. I worked the Model 8 for about 10 years but then I moved onto the Qwerty keyboard and here I am on a Macbook Pro.
I remember seeing one working at The London College of Printing when I did day-release there in 1979. By then it was photo typesetting. Also obsolete now.
I remember when the linotype having problemas whit some wrong mecanic was complicate to work. The comun problem was jump when discarge the matrix. Nice machine!!
In my former territory, Linotype "mechanics" were a special sub-class of super-experienced operators, known as "machinists". Usually a medium to large shop would have at least one "machinist" supporting dozens of machines. In small shops, the chief operator was often also the "machinist". A Linotype machine requires very little maintenance, but when maintenance IS required, you require detailed knowledge, some of which is essential to returning the machine to service WITHOUT damaging parts.
hey there! Our family buisness has been dealing with these for over fifty years. And we still have some to sell, and we dont want to scrap an enginering masterpiece. Wanna by one?? or anyone u know wants to?
@ elrodfk As to the merits of employing people for the sake of it, Australia's former Prime Minister, Paul Keating says now we must be creative with our minds instead of our hands. There is merit in that thought. I think of the stonemasons who used to carve the gargoyles on university towers; now their descendants attend these universities as students. I think that is progress.
Caro Chico. Gutemberg eu não sei, nas era um profissional vagaroso. Nos grandes jornais um profissional compunha no mínimo 270 linhas por hora, sendo 360 a capacidade da máquina!
My father operated a linotype machine for 30 years at our small town paper in upstate New York. I would stop in and say hi on my way home from school and during summer and he would make slugs for me and my friends with our name on them. Really wish they I had kept just one. I still remember how proud he was when he showed me his first $500 paycheck.
My husband Jim was a Linotype operator for 30 years in New Haven Connecticut. He still tells me stories about how much he enjoyed going to work and the feeling of accomplishment. He still has lead and printing ink under his fingers.
A Linotype operator who can actually type at speed. Well done sir 👍.
I was an operator for over 30 years. Now 82. I would love to run one again.
Me too!
@@1958david1 I'm from Boston. How about you?
Thanks for this. My father operated a linotype at the time of his first marriage at the end of WWII. I found this out from a newspaper wedding announcement. I never knew he did this.
My dad, who just passed away in October, was also a Linotype operator in Denver. Then when most of the Linotypes had phased out, he was a machinist who around fixing the remaining few. I can remember visiting him at work, and he'd give me slugs with my name printed on them, and I'd use them as stamps. I loved watching your dad work. Thanks for posting!
I was last in the line as a Lino operator before computer technology took a hold. I worked for a newspaper group in the UK. The Linotype is a wonderful piece of machinery. It has spirit and a character quite unique from any other mechanical equipment that was ever invented. I was good at my job because I always maintained my machine on a daily basis. Whenever anything went wrong there was always the Lino mechanic around to fix it. Hot metal - a composition of lead, tin and antimony.
Thank you so much for posting this. My grandfather owned a print company out of our garage and he had two of these machines. This brings back wonderful memories of spending time with him watching this big machine run and the smell of the ink, playing with the keys and just the sounds. I always remember the 'tick tick tick' of the keys falling and dropping back into the magazine
Thanks for posting this. My dad was a linotype operator in Melbourne Australia. I grew up visiting him at his work (he had his own small business), always loved those wonderful machines, used to play with the old font bits and spent lots of time with him proof reading. I never realized the keyboard was not a qwerty keyboard until years later when he was trying to chat with me and couldn't type at all!
Thank you for sharing. I find printing in all forms very fascinating and hope to see one of these machines operating in person before they completely disappear.
I was also an linotype operator for over 30 years. It was a great trade. Back in the 70's I went to the Smithsonian, and went through their printing exhibit. They had a linotype machine on display, and my kids joked at how I would someday be replaced by a computer. Little did I know. I am almost 75 now. If I had the opportunity, I would jump at the chance to work on a lino again.
I did my apprenticeship at SAAN - South African Associated Newspapers - back in the early 70's as a Compositor. When I attained the proper 'knowledge' I operated both Linotype and the somewhat quicker Intertype typesetting machines. I loved 'hanging' lines - when you were actually typing & delivering lines beyond the capability & technology of the time...
My grandfather was also a linotype operator. Many times he tried to explain about making a "slug". He was 70 years old when the paper switched to computers and he worked 2 more years with the new technology but never gave up his love of the old linotype machine
I, too, was a Linotype/Intertype operator. Eldon had a little trouble with his dissing bar but he fixed it ok. My printing days were great and I worked with wonderful people. Happy days! Pica, nonpareil, 3-point lead.
I never cease to marvel how the newspapers got out at all let alone on time given how comparatively primitive but fascinating was the technology. It is important it be kept alive through more modern technology so those who did not experience it can marvel at it.
I worked for a financial printer in Boston back in the early 1980's, and I witnessed the conversion from the linotype to "cold type." The linotype operators had to be retrained to work on computers, and while some were able to adapt to the change, others were not. It was very sad to witness the end of an era.
I used to work a Model 8 Linotype back in the '70's. There was a Model 48 Linotype as well but that was used by the boss. The Model 8 was covered in an old cloth sheet and hadn't been used for 10 years, but one day a large book came in to typeset and the cover came off the Model 8 and over the period of a week or so it was running like clockwork. No real training as such just learn the keyboard and go for it. I worked the Model 8 for about 10 years but then I moved onto the Qwerty keyboard and here I am on a Macbook Pro.
One of mans most wonderful creations. Mechanical magic. I bet it could play guitar if it wanted
Jeez that's brought back memories
Was an operator at The Chicago Tribune. Later converted to cold type. Used a typewriter to do what was done on the Linotype.
I remember seeing one working at The London College of Printing when I did day-release there in 1979. By then it was photo typesetting. Also obsolete now.
I remember when the linotype having problemas whit some wrong mecanic was complicate to work. The comun problem was jump when discarge the matrix. Nice machine!!
Thank you Word :)
Think I still have a row from linotype with my name somewhere... I wish to born earlier.
After working in such a place I guess you turned deaf finally.
In my former territory, Linotype "mechanics" were a special sub-class of super-experienced operators, known as "machinists".
Usually a medium to large shop would have at least one "machinist" supporting dozens of machines.
In small shops, the chief operator was often also the "machinist".
A Linotype machine requires very little maintenance, but when maintenance IS required, you require detailed knowledge, some of which is essential to returning the machine to service WITHOUT damaging parts.
Makes me want to watch "Printer's Devil", Twilight Zone.
hey there! Our family buisness has been dealing with these for over fifty years. And we still have some to sell, and we dont want to scrap an enginering masterpiece. Wanna by one?? or anyone u know wants to?
horrible ergonomics, respect to the man operating the machine.
Do you still have access to this linotype machine and is so could i get you to produce something from it. please let me know
Trabalho com linotipo em Porto Alegre RS
@ elrodfk As to the merits of employing people for the sake of it, Australia's former Prime Minister, Paul Keating says now we must be creative with our minds instead of our hands. There is merit in that thought. I think of the stonemasons who used to carve the gargoyles on university towers; now their descendants attend these universities as students. I think that is progress.
About 3000 lbs.
is Eldon Meeks alive in 2022?
esse cidadão que está ai a digitar deve ser parente de Gutemberg.kkkkk
Caro Chico. Gutemberg eu não sei, nas era um profissional vagaroso. Nos grandes jornais um profissional compunha no mínimo 270 linhas por hora, sendo 360 a capacidade da máquina!