gatt writes:

As I mentioned in the previous message, this -fact- was demonstrated to me
by a printer while he was setting type on an old printing press on the
university campus where I studied Journalism.

History is not subject to demonstration. The fact that a printer
might be able to cause the event in question does not mean that it was
the motivation for placing periods inside quotation marks.

The placement of other punctuation inside or outside quotation marks
has long been a matter of style that differs between the U.S. and the
U.K.

The British typography statement assumes that British printers used
the same equipment, which may not be the case.

Movable type was universal at one time, in the not so distant past.

People like to have explanations for things, even if they have to
invent them. This explanation reminds me of the Latin teacher's
explanation for _porta_ that I heard. Supposedly the teacher said
that the word came from the fact that ancient Romans had to lift the
plow creating the foundations wherever there was a door. Same
principle.

Similar to the way people prefer to gather their flying knowledge from those
who fly, I prefer to get my printing press history from a printing press
operator, especially while he's in the process of operating a vintage
printing press.

Unless he was there originally, he wouldn't know any more than I
would.

Strange thing to create an urban legend about, by the way.

Strange things are especially prone to produce urban legends. It's
like water spiraling down a drain or the curved shape of a wing
producing lift (to get back to general aviation).

--
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