To Our Readers – January / February 2016

by Jim Dittmann
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Well here we are: – Volume 5 Issue 1

Wie geht es dir? 

It was during spring break of 69’ – I was invited to the print shop where my old man worked. They had a need for a part time janitor.  Entering through the back door to the sound of: tic tic tic tic tic tic tic – rounding the corner I’m introduced to the mesmerizing – “Linotype.” This amazing machine is often times referred to as the “eight wonder of the world”.

Operators at their keyboards release an individual matrix for each letter required.  The “mats” would dutifully drop into the assembler forming a line – next hot metal would be forced against their face “casting” lines of type.  These lines of type would stack into a galley to be used for “direct” letterpress printing of a weekly newspaper. 

At the very same point in time – a transition was under way to the more modern “offset” method of printing.  I remember asking the guys in the shop if they felt the quality would be as good – they all assured me it would actually be better.  That new method would provide magnificent opportunity with phenomenal improvements for manufacture and information distribution.

Now – 47 years later we are ready to embrace yet another more modern method for magazine production and distribution.  Beginning with our next issue – LocaLeben will be produced using an all digital process.  This new method releases us from the constraints of a paper substrate. We are free to experiment with a whole new set of tools – These are indeed exciting times !!

Visit LocaLeben.com/subscribe – request your free subscription.  Make a donation if you are so inclined …

 

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