"Jose" wrote in message
news
... except that the last piece of type is also held in place by
something.

Not always. The printer that demonstrated this was setting type on an
actual printing press when he showed me, so I saw it first-hand.

So, how was that last piece of type held in place?

If I remember correctly, it was supposed to snap in and sit snug against the
previous text. The completed plate sat up not quite vertically, but near it.
I don't know what they used to fill the space between the end of the type
and the end of the line, but I have no particular reason to think the guy
was making it up when he told me--while he was setting the type--or why he
would spread such an "urban legend" if the press he was demonstrating
contradicted it.

-c