After Class - Feb 15th 2009

Today we really summarized the industrial revolution and looked as some of the most important parts of the evolution. Nothing would have been possible without the creation of steam power, it took the man/animal power away and created a limitless source of power (as long as the person fueling didn't get sleepy). This eventually helped to create newer printing presses that became more and more typewriter-like (aka: line'o type). The main part of the typography of this time was developing specialized fonts for diffrent propmotions. Having a 'circus' font for a circus poster and so on. Lots of bold powerful heavy fonts that were streatched out and had a very tall x-height.

We then talked extensively about the development of photography and how it could be something so simplistic and artistic to something as powerful as civil war photography that can effect entire nations. My group in particular had issues with the earliest photography 'experaments.' In particular the image of the religious leader. We thought that the light exposed parts hardened, and thus when washed stayed on the metal. But it appears it was the opposite. Having, personally, an extensive background in photography I'd love to learn more and perhaps try my hand at some of these 'old time' ways of photography. In my photography class we actually built a camera out of cardboard and created the inverted images and then fliped them to created the correct shading. I'll have to remember to bring it back with me this weekend.