Electra (typeface)

Electra
CategorySerif
ClassificationTransitional
Designer(s)W.A. Dwiggins
FoundryLinotype
Date released1935 (roman/oblique)
1940 (cursive)
VariationsElectric
Azuza
Parkinson Electra
Poets Electra
LfA Aluminia (shown)
Also known asElante
Transitional 521

Electra is a serif typeface designed by William Addison Dwiggins and published by the Mergenthaler Linotype Company from 1935 onwards. A book face intended for body text, Dwiggins described the design as intended to be a 'modern roman type letter' with 'personality', avoiding direct revival of any historical model. He therefore chose the name Electra to suggest electricity and crisp modernity, "like metal shavings coming off a lathe".[1][2][3]

After a slow development process, Electra became a popular book typeface in American printing during the late metal type period.[4] After an eclipse in popularity, partly due to poor translation of the design to modern printing technologies, several revivals have been released.

  1. ^ Leslie Cabarga (15 February 2004). Logo, Font & Lettering Bible. Adams Media. p. 205. ISBN 1-58180-436-9.
  2. ^ Shaw, Paul. "William Addison Dwiggins: Jack of All Trades, Master of More than One". Linotype. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  3. ^ Williamson, Hugh (1956). Methods of Book Design. Oxford University Press. p. 103. [Quoting a letter from Dwiggins]: an effort to produce a fast-moving face a little out of the line of "old face" or "modern". I think the name Electra suggested itself as a possible expression of electric energy and fast pace.'
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Tracy2003 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).