Radio Gothic

This page of typefaces comes from a L.C. Smith trade catalog that I picked up recently. Until now, I’d never seen or heard of Radio Gothic. Now, it’s at the very top of my must-have list. I even love the description: “For transcribing radiograms or similar messages in code.”  It brings visions of a kid sitting by the radio with his dad’s L.C. Smith and a Little Orphan Annie decoder ring, transcribing the secret message coming from the speaker (“Always drink your Ovaltine”).

The very fact that this typeface existed–a more ornate, public-friendly version of the cold, utilitarian Gothic used by railroad telegraphers–says much about the era it was crafted for.

Radio Gothic would also make an excellent name for an alt-folk band, which I expect to happen any moment now.