Comments on: The (Mostly) True Story of Helvetica and the New York City Subway

The (Mostly) True Story of Helvetica and the New York City Subway

Combustible Edison Lighthouse — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:27:26 -0800

The (Mostly) True Story of Helvetica and the New York City Subway. Why is Helvetica used now, and when did the changeover occur? To answer those questions this essay explores several important histories: of the New York City subway system, transportation signage in the 1960s, Unimark International and, of course, Helvetica.

By: Slack-a-gogo

Slack-a-gogo — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:43:38 -0800

If my wife came home and caught me reading (and loving!) a lengthy article about a font, I think she would yell "Can't you just look at internet porn like everyone else?!?". I get the "you're pathetic" look from her every time I wear my Helvetica t-shirt.

By: piratebowling

piratebowling — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:44:15 -0800

As any New Yorker—or visitor to the city—knows, the subway system is a labyrinth. I always thought of it as a web. Not the best constructed web (especially when you get out to or want to travel between the Bronx, Queens or Brooklyn), but a web none the less. Labyrinth sounds way too ominous. This article was fascinating, thank you. I also like that there are still remainders of different fints and signs in each station. It give each a unique feel. Uniformity is stylistic choice I prefer to see in movies, visual inconsistencies and chaos are better for real life.

By: roll truck roll

roll truck roll — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:52:36 -0800

Nine pages?! Internet, why won't you let me work today?

By: mattdidthat

mattdidthat — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:58:42 -0800

posted by piratebowling I always thought of [the NYC subway system] as a web. Or, perhaps, a series of tubes.

By: blue_beetle

blue_beetle — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:33:15 -0800

Oh typography nerds, I'm simultaneously attracted and repelled by you.

By: needled

needled — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:41:06 -0800

Michael Bierut on Vignelli and the New York City subway

By: Damn That Television

Damn That Television — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:45:45 -0800

Usually font stuff makes my eyes glaze over, but my New Yorker self-obsession wins out in this case. Plus it's actually pretty interesting. Nice post.

By: rokusan

rokusan — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:54:29 -0800

It's un-American, these goddamn Swiss with their fancy little knives and their fancy little typefaces.

By: sponge

sponge — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:20:28 -0800

there was a documentary on the font made the other year

By: kirkaracha

kirkaracha — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:22:13 -0800

You had me at "signage typeface."

By: exogenous

exogenous — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:44:23 -0800

Previously, Type in the Toronto Subway

By: athenian

athenian — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:57:16 -0800

This is wonderful, thank you. As a Brit, I enjoyed the linked-to article on the British Rail signage redesign in the 1960s (which also used a Helvetica-like font). Although the BR double arrow symbol is still used as the symbol for train stations, that old font has pretty much disappeared. I remember thinking the old font looked so bureaucratic and boring compared to the elegant Gill Sans which was used on signage before. Now I think it's a great example of modern design. Perhaps I'm just a bit nostalgic for it.

By: porn in the woods

porn in the woods — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:08:44 -0800

Helvetica is still the perfume of the city.

By: mecran01

mecran01 — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:39:59 -0800

Paging Jason Kottke.

By: You Can't Tip a Buick

You Can't Tip a Buick — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:01:40 -0800

They also have an article by Momus, where you can learn even more things that you'd never thought you'd ever know about him...

By: joeclark

joeclark — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:47:20 -0800

Exogenous, thanks for the mention. I like Shaw's piece way more than my own. So: +1.