https://peertube.dngr.us/videos/watch/4f6df6cb-13a1-43b6-b057-a65f54025fad Help us preserve, scan and post more rare and endangered films on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PeriscopeFilm For more information about Linotype history check out the documentary by Doug Wilson! https://linotypefilm.com/ This 1969 film promotes the Linotron 505, an advanced cathode ray tube phototypesetting system developed by Mergenthaler Linotype for the graphic arts industry. It delivers high-speed, high-quality typography—up to ten times faster and more cost-effective than traditional methods. The system includes a control unit, which processes input from perforated or magnetic tape, and a reproducer that projects characters precisely onto film or paper using a sophisticated optical and CRT setup. It supports multicolumn layouts, a wide range of type sizes, and up to 952 characters across four grids. Output can be previewed on a monitor, and finished materials are quickly processed using light-tight cassettes. The 505 is positioned as a profitable solution for cost-conscious publishers and printers around the world. 00:00 introduces the Linatron 505, a cathode ray tube phototypesetting system by Mergenthaler, designed to meet the demands of modern printing. It offers high-speed, high-quality typography—up to 10 times faster than traditional systems and more cost-effective than other CRT-based machines. 0:50: The 505 system includes a control unit and a reproducer. The control unit contains integrated logic circuitry and stores character widths. It accepts input from 8-level perforated tape, 6-level wire service, computer-generated tape, or magnetic tape, using appropriate adapters. 1:48–2:34 Text and commands are entered through a keyboard. A computer justifies the text and adds necessary formatting, creating a new tape to drive the 505 system. 2:35: Up to 16 keyboards can access stored data simultaneously, and a single keyboard may be used for fast corrections. The tape is loaded into the reader, and control panel lights indicate settings such as width, point size, and film advance. Operators can manually override instructions, proof at different sizes, and adjust parameters. 3:55: The system allows stopping at a specific line number and displays the active line digitally. Output can be customized for reading direction and definition quality. 4:26: The reproducer unit contains four character grids, optics, and cathode ray tube systems to project characters onto film or paper. An index CRT, a 16-lens system, and photo multipliers work together to select and transmit the correct character to the print CRT, projecting it precisely onto the output medium via mirrors and reduction lenses. 5:52: The 505 prints at a rate of 170 newspaper lines per minute, regardless of font size or character count. It manages multi-column layouts efficiently, backing up after each column before continuing. 6:34: Each grid holds 238 characters, totaling 952 characters across four grids. Grid changes take less than a minute. Options include PI character slides (64 extra characters), math typesetting, and even music composition. 7:20: The output, which can be non-sprocket film or paper (2 to 11 inches wide, in 100-foot rolls), is stored in light-tight cassettes. Exposure settings are adjustable, and output can be previewed on an auxiliary monitor tube. Processed material is easy to remove and handle. 8:19:A full multicolumn page can be composed in under a minute. The system supports true kerning, italic slanting, extended/condensed characters, and full access to the Mergenthaler typeface library—all with no additional cost. 9:05:Friskets (image masters) are created from original drawings and used to make 16-character plaques on a floating camera system. The system ensures extreme precision using spring-loaded granite blocks to eliminate vibration, and only proceeds after all mechanical and electronic checks pass. Development occurs in an automated, temperature-controlled facility. 10:27: Completed plaques are seated and checked for precise positioning (within 2/10,000 of an inch) using another floating camera system. Light sources are aligned, and the grid is exposed after all checks. 11:09: Grids undergo the same high-quality processing as plaques. Quality control involves checks for image fidelity and positioning using optical instruments. 12:04: The 505 comes with traditional Mergenthaler service and uses low-maintenance integrated circuits. Its CRT components are inexpensive and widely available. It supports current and future computer composition techniques, and offers high cost-efficiency. 13:04: The 505 is in use worldwide and is built not only for today’s needs but for tomorrow’s opportunities. This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHSbNVA0QIU Mirrored from Periscope Film (https://www.youtube.com/@PeriscopeFilm) Sat, 13 Jun 2026 13:26:24 GMT https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html PeerTube - https://peertube.dngr.us https://peertube.dngr.us/lazy-static/avatars/41a6fee9-7f57-42d0-a5fc-5db4f1af2e31.png https://peertube.dngr.us/videos/watch/4f6df6cb-13a1-43b6-b057-a65f54025fad All rights reserved, unless otherwise specified in the terms specified at https://peertube.dngr.us/about and potential licenses granted by each content's rightholder.