Friday, July 4, 2014

Calgary: Hot off the Presses



Calgary was chilly this June morning after waves of thunderstorms had traversed the skies into the wee hours of the morning. Bundled up, I strolled into Starbucks and ordered my favorite Rustic sandwich and Hazlenut Macchiato. From there, I boarded the conference bus to Heritage Park. Heritage Park was hosting the Association of Living History and Farming Museums Conference this year and I had signed up for a workshop: Hot off the Presses.

Sometimes, traveling gives you the opportunity to try something new and different. While I have lived in Calgary in the past, this city still offers me the chance to experience new things that are unique and totally fun.
Hot off the Presses was designed for us to learn all about printing practises and the equipment that was used to provide the general public with the news of the day. There were few images and nothing was digital. The process of producing one page of newsprint was arduous and long. In fact, by the end of the day, I had learned exactly how technical the process was and how skilled the craftsmen who were printers had to be. 

Printers are mechanics and precision workers. They measure and rearrange texts line by line and millimetre by millimetre. First, we had a detailed description of the equipment, including the molten metal (read lead and nickle) that was in the pots for producing the linotype. We learned the dangers of the machines and the intricate perfections of them. From there, we were divided into groups to practise for ourselves under strict supervision. Although at times the banter between the "older" boys demonstrating made me wonder if we should be supervising them.

First, I learned how to set stories into print. From tying the lines together as sets and storing them on trays, to layouts and imaging, we were able to produce the type for one page of the newspaper. It took an hour. We learned how to make our own lines of type using fonts and sticks that held the lettering into place. We learned out to set them into the machine and create our own blocks of print. Then, printing was taught and we generated scripts for sale in the print shop following by using a newer linotype machine.

The intracies of the technology was fascinating as are the guides that produce them. Two of the printers were wisecracking about each other so it made for a humorous and light afternoon. I wonder if they really do get along…never mind. We had fan etiquette and school rules to read about and could print as fast as our fingers could fly. 





























Will I be a printer in another career. Likely not. But I certainly enjoyed the day and the process of learning. 

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