SR-71

gatt writes:

Trivia: This is why periods always go inside the quotation marks (helps me
remember): In the old days of mechanical printing presses and manual
typesetting, the letter pieces looked similar to the strikers on old
typewriters; rectangular pieces of metal. A period piece [.] was only half
as wide as a double-quote [' '] and if it was at the end of a line, which is
common at the end of quotes or paragraphs, the half-width, full-heighth
period piece could lean just a little and eventually wiggle lose. As the
inking/printing mechanism moved over the wayward period, the piece could
snap off and monkey up the works.

To compensate for this, printing press operators and typesetters ignored the
editors made a command decision: They started tucking the [.] inside the
square [' '] piece in order to secure it and hold it still. According to
an old typesetter at the Oregon State printing press, that's why the period
goes inside the quote as such: [.][' '] (end of line)

Urban legend. This would not explain why the period goes outside
quotation marks in British typography.

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"Mxsmanic" wrote in message
...

To compensate for this, printing press operators and typesetters ignored
the editors made a command decision: They started tucking the [.] inside
the
square [' '] piece in order to secure it and hold it still. According
to an old typesetter at the Oregon State printing press, that's why the
period
goes inside the quote as such: [.][' '] (end of line)

Urban legend. This would not explain why the period goes outside
quotation marks in British typography.

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

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.

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

-c

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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"Mxsmanic" wrote in message
...

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.

Nor is it subject to some usenet geek deciding without supporting evidence
what's urban legend and not.

If you think it's an urban legend, than show me what you have. Otherwise,
as a graduate of the School of Journalism, I'll give folks the same advice
the pilots have been giving you out here; don't stick your nose in stuff
you don't know unless you've got something to demonstrate that you do, in
fact, know it. I'll take an actual printing press operator's word over
yours as quickly as I'll take an pilot's. Sorry. Experience and credential
still mean more to me than something you might have read on the internet.

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.

Thanks. If I need your analysis of American grammar and print history, I'll
ask for it.


-c

gatt writes:

If you think it's an urban legend, than show me what you have.

The burden of proof is on the person who makes the original claim.
I'm not required to prove that there are no pink elephants.

Otherwise, as a graduate of the School of Journalism, I'll give
folks the same advice the pilots have been giving you out here;
don't stick your nose in stuff you don't know unless you've got
something to demonstrate that you do, in fact, know it.

What does journalism have to do with printing and typesetting (or
aviation, for that matter)?

I'll take an actual printing press operator's word over yours
as quickly as I'll take an pilot's. Sorry.

That is your prerogative; you need not apologize for it.

Experience and credential still mean more to me than something
you might have read on the internet.

Well, hopefully nothing will ever happen that will force you to change
your mind. It has happened to me, though, and so I'm not quite so
trusting today.

Thanks. If I need your analysis of American grammar and print history, I'll
ask for it.

I don't recall discussing grammar, but I'll be happy to give analyses
in any area that I know something about. But grammar and print don't
really belong in this group.

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