Basic sign module uses (left) from the 1989 MTA Sign Manual (courtesy Peter Joseph); and typographic alphabet (right) from MTA Graphic Standards: Signage (1988) (courtesy Michael Hertz).

There is a commonly held belief that Helvetica is the signage typeface of the New York City subway system, a belief reinforced by Helvetica, Gary Hustwit’s popular 2007 documentary about the typeface. But it is not true—or rather, it is only somewhat true. Helvetica is the official typeface of the MTA today, but it was not the typeface specified by Unimark International when it created a new signage system at the end of the 1960s. Why was Helvetica not chosen originally? What was chosen in its place? 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. These four strands are woven together, over nine pages, to tell a story that ultimately transcends the simple issue of Helvetica and the subway.

Read more on AIGA website.

Jelmar Geertsma loves black-phat-ultra-bold types… And apparently he knows how to design them! More on flickr.

Created by Antrepo Design Industry as “Sans&Serif Posters” and it shows , two cult design of the Typography. It’s like a ying&yang in the font industry.

100 copies only.
Serial number and hand signed
High quality press print
Natural offset paper
Made and printed in Istanbul.
Dimension, 48x68cm, 18.9×26.8″

(via TypeNEU)

Ahhhh… technology. The geniuses at Plexifilm have spent the past two years developing a Sharpie pen that actually writes in Helvetica! This pen is so experimental that it’s priceless… literally. You can’t buy one, but you can get one free with any Helvetica merchandise purchase (DVD, T-shirt, etc.). Get your free pen while they last. It’s a great gift for that person in your life with sloppy handwriting…

(via Objectified Film)

Mark Blamire just informed me that the new version of Wallzo’s Hot Chip poster is now available over at Blanka shop.

This poster has been laser cutted with embossed type and printed on 270gsm colorplan pristine white by gfsmith.
This print has been manufactured with a frame in mind. The frame is a completely transparent frame which will allow you to see through the voids in the paper, the edges of the frame are also white so on hung on a white wall this poster will look stunning. The frame is supplied by habitat and is the ‘bacall’ 80x60cm.