The computer age has completely transformed the art of printing, with electronic printers, desktop publishers, graphics generators, word processors and other software replacing skilled typesetters, lead type, and high wooden typecases. But you can step back into a more leisurely time when the art of the printer still required a hands-on touch when you visit the MOAH print shop.

Wooden type cases line one wall, while several classic, and still operable, vintage Kelsey, Chandler & Price, and Little Giant presses stand opposite. These presses are still in use, printing cards, invitations, forms and other materials used by the Museum.

Several workshops in printing are offered by MOAH, allowing you to design wine labels, cards and other personal items, and then print them on the appropriate presses.

If you have a really heavy duty typesetting job, consider using the Linotype machine. The Linotype, invented in 1886, was used for decades by many large commercial printers and newspapers, prized for their ability to cast type from molten metal directly from keyboard input and vastly speeding up the typesetting process. As the operator strokes the keyboard, the machine assembles a line of individual letter molds and then automatically casts a complete line of type from them. The molds are then automatically returned to their storage magazine, ready for the next line. The Linotype was 4 to 6 times faster than hand setting type, and had the added advantage that the type bars (slugs) were melted down for reuse, saving the time it took to redistribute loose type.

MOAH's Model 31 Linotype was made about 1950 and sold for about $40,000 when new. Other equipment on display includes a Chandler & Price platen press (1914), the "Little Giant" horizontal cylinder press and a turn-of-the-century oak type cabinet. This cabinet is in active use and holds 50 cases of type.

The art of printing changed drastically in the last half of the 20th century, and old timers in the trade now reminisce on the trials, tribulations and rewards of the printers art in days gone by.

If you want to further explore the MOAH print shop and experience the thrill of printing your own hand-set pages, see the workshop schedule on the education pages for details of workshop timing and content. Printing workshops are offered several times a year, using the Linotype machine and our classic presses. The print shop can also be operated for tour groups and at special events.

History of the MOAH print shop

When Slonaker's Printing House moved from their long-time location on Emerson Street to their new plant on Fabian Way, they donated much of their old equipment to the Museum of American Heritage. This equipment, along with some other items MOAH had previously collected, was used to create a small 1920s era print shop as a permanent exhibit at the previous museum location on El Camino Real.

Curtis Royball, the owner of Northwest Press Co. in San Carlos, was a tremendous help in setting up this shop. Curtis's company specializes in moving and setting up heavy equipment for the printing industry, and everything connected with printing is heavy. The Linotype weighs about 3,000 pounds. Curtis, with his special equipment, made short work of moving it from Slonaker's to the warehouse, and then a few months later, to MOAH's El Camino location.

When MOAH occupied the Williams House in 1997, the print shop was installed in its current location within the original garage.

This page last updated: February 10, 2003