We got a comment on our Linotype Doc post inviting us to come play w a working Intertype machine! Originally most Intertype machines were rebuilt Linotype machines, but by 1917, Intertype had 3 of it’s own models but the inner workings essentially mirrored that of a Linotype.
So after seeing the screening of Linotype: the film, we went over to Andy’s place the next Saturday to try it out (yup. There’s just a man who has one straight lampin in his garage, no big deal). There was a modest handfull of people going in and out of his garage, talking shop, talking type, lots of talking. Then Andy invited me to sit down and cast a slug :)
So I’m sitting at this huge machine w exposed wheels spinning, belts whirring, matrices clicking into each other—I know there’s hot liquid metal somewhere in there. As soon as I started typing, my first thought was, “goddamn it—I want one now.” It’s as fun as it is intimidating (at first) and I highly recommend finding a type head in your neighborhood state and playing around w one of these rare machines machines and making a spelling error.
Thank you, Andy, for inviting us to play w your world-shaping piece of history.
