The acquisition of Linotype by Monotype Imaging brings together two companies that share remarkably similar histories. Since their separate inceptions in the late 19th century, the two companies have advanced the typographic industry by developing innovative products and technologies. Along the way, mergers and acquisitions have allowed each company to evolve into leading forces that have shaped this industry.
Below are some highlights from each company’s history. Full histories of each company can be viewed on their corporate Web sites, Linotype and Monotype Imaging.
| Linotype GmbH |
Monotype Imaging |
1886
Ottmar Mergenthaler (born in Württemberg, Germany on May 11th, 1854) produces the world’s first linecasting machine in the USA. The machine is called "Blower" and later renamed "Linotype" (short for "Line of type"). |
1885
Linn Boyd Benton of Milwaukee invented a mechanical punch-cutting device. The machine was later modified and improved upon by Frank H. Pierpont of the Monotype Corporation Ltd. |
1890
Mergenthaler Linotype Company is founded in Brooklyn, NY, USA. Mergenthaler Linotype & Machinery Ltd. is founded in Manchester, England. |
1887
Lanston Monotype Machine Company founded at Washington D.C. in the USA with J. Maury Dove as the first President. |
1904
Worldwide there are 10,000 Linotype casting machines in use. The sons of Karl Klingspor, Karl and Wilhelm, become sole owners of the Rudhard’sche Foundry in Offenbach. |
1901
Several Monotype systems installed in notable British printing plants, such as Butler & Tanner Ltd. of Frome, Morrison & Gibb Ltd. of Edinburgh, and Waterlow & Sons Ltd. of London. |
1949
Production of the Linotype casting machine is resumed after interruption due to the war. |
1941
Monotype offices in London at 43 Fetter Lane destroyed by enemy bombing on May 10. Temporary office was taken at nearby Clifford’s Inn. |
1958
Introduction of the world’s first integrated photo typesetting system with perforated tape entry, the "Linofilm System." |
1957
First Monophoto Filmsetter installed in Britain by Photoprint Plates Ltd. of Basildon, Essex, and in the USA at the Philadelphia plant of Westcott & Thomson Inc. In 1960, the Compugraphic Corporation was created in Brookline, Massachusetts, to apply existing computer technology to the typesetting process. |
1968
D. Stempel AG begins producing typefaces for photo typesetting. |
1962
Apollo by Adrian Frutiger, the first typeface produced by the Corporation specifically for phototypesetting. In 1964, the largest European photographic company is created by the merger of Agfa and Gevaert. |
1976
Introduction of "Typomatic" photo typesetting machine by D. Stempel AG. Production of hot-metal type systems by Linotype ends after 90 years. |
1976
Introduction of Monotype Lasercomp, the first commercially successful digital laser imagesetter prompting a whole new generation of high-resolution photographic output devices. |
1985
Linotype takes over of the type division of D. Stempel AG. In connection with the liquidation of D. Stempel AG, their shareholding in the Haas’sche type foundry in Basel/Münchenstein is acquired by Linotype |
1988
Monotype Typography and the Compugraphic Corporation sign a cross-licensing agreement for a mutual exchange of proprietary typefaces. In 1989, Agfa-Gevaert, Inc., merges with Compugraphic medical imaging company Matrix. The name of the new, expanded company is Agfa Corporation. |
1990
Linotype AG merges with Hell GmbH to become Linotype-Hell AG. |
1992
On March 9th, Monotype Typography Ltd. was established. |
1997
Linotype GmbH is founded as a subsidiary company of the Heidelberg Group. |
1998
Agfa acquires Monotype Typography. Agfa and Monotype formally combine their resources and expertise to deliver a world-class font library and state of the art font technologies. |
2005
As of the November 1st, "Linotype GmbH" is the new official name for the company formerly registered under "Linotype Library GmbH". |
2004
Agfa Monotype is purchased from Agfa-Gevaert AG by TA Associates, a private equity investment firm, and renamed Monotype Imaging Inc. |
2006
Linotype GmbH is acquired by Monotype Imaging Inc. |