The Gutenberg Bible: exquisite at the level of page design, but the legibility of its type is poor. The influence of manuscripts is clear.

Traditional German typeface in a 1902 book. The pluses are its distinct national character and its historic origins; its minus is its poor legibility.

A striking 1921 cover design which echoes art deco.

One of many 20th century designs influenced by modernism and function: Eric Gill's Gill Sans typeface, 1928. The main advantage is its legibility.

Typography is the practical art of arranging how the printed word appears on the page. Typography was born when print was born. Early types were based on the letterforms of scribes, and the letters cut into Trajan's Column ("monumental inscriptions"). Later, gradually, type designs were based on the special needs of books, pamphlets, newspapers and advertisements.