skip to main content

The Garden Party

Do you remember the old linotype machines?

11 years ago

Don't know why I thought of them, oh yes I do. I was remembering the little town where dad's blacksmith shop was and the layout of the town. Just south of the shop was a pool hall and beer joint. Kansas was dry at that time so the beer was only 3.2% but everyone knew the bartender had a quite complete line of all kinds of alcholic drinks under the bar. Next to that was a flight of quite steep dark stairs and if you climbed them at the top and turned right it was Dr. Stevens dental office. His drill was operated by a foot pump while he pumped the foot pedal the drill worked. To the left was Dr. Vansants office, an MD. The worst memories I have of those stairs and his office were when I had to be forced up the stairs to get the rabies shot in my navel. Had to have 5 of them a week apart. It took both grandparents all they could handle to get me up those stairs, those shots hurt terribly. I think I was 5 at the time.

Next door to that was the weekly newspaper office, the linotype was near the front of the building and you could watch the operator working. Those were huge, complicated machines. This one had a kerosene burner under the lead pot to melt the lead. Did you ever get a good look at the keyboard of those machines? They certainly didn't have a qwerty keyboard. If I am remembering correctly, there were three separate parts of the keyboard, each a different color, I have no idea how the operator worked the keyboard but I was always amazed at how his fingers seem to fly over the different parts and then the lead print sections would come sliding down to make up a page.

Wonder if anywhere in this country there is still an operating linotype?

Next door to that was the local cafe, there wasn't any city water at that time so the woman that owned the place always came to the blacksmith shop with a couple of pails. There was and still is an operating water well in the southwest corner of the blacksmith shop. Come to think of it, I believe every business carried pails to the shop and pumped water for their use. There was a pump just outside of the firehall but that was almost a block from the stores. Running on as usual. Enough.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

mawheel
11 years ago
Keep on runnin', George, please. We love it!

I have to say that I really don't remember linotype machines. I do remember when phone operators--all women, of course--asked for the number you wanted and put the call through for you. I was told that once I picked up the phone and when the voice said, "Number, please", I said "Mommie!"--and it was! My Grandmother had a hard time getting me to let go of the phone! :>)
rob333 (zone 7b)
11 years ago
I'd never seen one. I had to look it up, but amazing. I read that if a person made one mistake, the whole thing would have to be scraped and done over! And it was melted lead. Whoa. It also mirrored today's job market. Type setters were the highest paid union workers, but then a generation later, gone. Fully replaced by word processors.
Related Discussions
Do any old times remember
Q
Comments (3)
That was me. Unfortunately I did not transfer it to my new web host since I hadn't had any visits to it in several years. I think I still have the pictures and I might have the html pages if anyone is interested.
...See More
Refrigerator. Do you remember to do this?
Q
Comments (19)
Thanks. A great tip, dedtired. You should post this in the Discussions. Refrigerator works the same way as an air conditioner mechanically. The "coil" is called condensing coil. Sometimes under the unit, sometime vertically in the back. Sometimes there is a little fan to help cool the coil which will also need cleaning. If it is not cleaned, the coil cannot dissipate heat well, the compressor will overwork against greater back pressure, your fridg will not cool efficiently, you will pay more in electric charge, and your unit will breakdown eventually with an expensive compressor replacement fee. For many models, you also should take out the tray under the unit to completely wash it. That's the tray to catch water from the freezer defrosting. It is disgusting the dried up dirt collected on it. Also, there may be a little tube that goes from the freezer to the tray which drains freezer water to the tray. You will find there is a lot of gummy green growth inside the tube which will need to be cleaned. If you have dogs and cats, you will need to clean the coil more often. dcarch
...See More
Do you remember the old 'WorkBasket' book?
Q
Comments (9)
I subscribed many years ago. I know it's no longer in print. I think Vogue magazine put out a collection book of some of WB old patterns. Saw the book on Amazon but I'm too cheap to pay for it. I have plenty of knitting projects. And I can't crochet. I know I saved my old WBs. Now where did I put them? Maybe I can sell them on Ebay. I once found a Womans day from 1983 in my attic. Obviously some great recipe or craft idea in there!
...See More
Does anyone remember this 'toy' sewing machine from the 60s?
Q
Comments (4)
I have a brown handcrank toy one from the 60's, but they had a red and white one but it might be the 80's they also had mini ver. of the touch and sew. Susan
...See More
Janis_G
11 years ago
Gandle, I remember the one that had a long piece of metal
hanging over a pot of melted lead. It was always spewing hot
lead on your arms and it left blisters everywhere it touched
the skin.
There are Linotype machines in use today due to certain types of printing that can't be done otherwise.
I know this because my ex has been called out of retirement
to operate a Linotype that no one else knows how to operate but him.
oscarthecat
11 years ago
I went to hi scool with a kid named Mike Hawkins. I went out to his place one weekend. Sitting in the living room was a type font. Turns out his Dad had been a typesetter till the linotype put him out of work.
User
11 years ago
We have a couple of type drawers that Missy uses to hold her rubber stamps. When I was a kid our class took a tour of the Des Moines Register and Tribune building and saw the huge printing machines running very fast. Not Linotype but a later generation of printing. Have seen a Linotype in a museum, where I do not remember. Wonder if my ex still has the heavy paper press we found at an antique store used to make individual sheets 2' by 3'.
anneliese_32
11 years ago
A cousin was the master typesetter for a newspaper and book publishing company and he showed me around a couple of times. In the good old German tradition he learned from the ground up, apprentice, journeyman and master and went from pouring lead to linotype and computer when he retired at age 72. My husband took typesetting at shop in highschool. It always fascinated me, but that's natural for a bookworm.

Related Stories

VINTAGE STYLE Antique Sewing Machines: Tailor Made for Nostalgic Decor

By Tiffany Carboni

In full-on vintage rooms or contrasting modern looks, old sewing machines and tables are stirring up the past in a most stylish way

DECORATING PROJECTS What to Do With Old Family Photos

By Jennifer Phelps: Organize. Design. Reinvent!

Find out how to research, share and preserve images that offer a connection to the past

UPHOLSTERY The Perks and Perils of Reupholstering Old Furniture

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Secondhand upholstered pieces can add character to a room, but beware of bugs, snakes and hidden costs

UNIVERSAL DESIGN My Houzz: Universal Design Helps an 8-Year-Old Feel at Home

By Becki Peckham

An innovative sensory room, wide doors and hallways, and other thoughtful design moves make this Canadian home work for the whole family

ARCHITECTURE Style Divide: How to Treat Additions to Old Homes?

By Mitchell Parker

One side says re-create the past; the other wants unabashedly modern. Weigh in on additions style here

LAUNDRY ROOMS Clever Ways to Hide a Laundry Station

By Toronto Interior Design Group

When you don’t have a whole room to devote to the wash, use these solutions to tuck the machines out of view

HOUSEKEEPING Tackle Big Messes Better With a Sparkling-Clean Dishwasher

By Bonnie McCarthy

You might think it’s self-cleaning, but your dishwasher needs regular upkeep to keep it working hard for you

DIY PROJECTS Make a Gorgeous (Cheap!) Pillow Using Vintage Clothes

By Shelly Miller Leer

With secondhand fabric and a steady hand on the sewing machine, your pillow choices are endless

WHITE White Slipcovers for Pure Practicality

By Living Small: City & Small Space Consulting

With a washing machine and bleach on your side, white slipcovers for couches and chairs keep your furniture looking pristine

FEEL-GOOD HOME Inherited Pieces: Embrace the Approach That Works for You

By Glamour Nest

How you remember and honor loved ones through heirlooms is your decision alone

Sponsored

Columbus Premier Design-Build and General Contractor

More Discussions

NYT Connections word game

441