Designer: Rian
HughesA 14-weight sans family based on the original British'M. O.T.' (Ministry of Transport) alphabet.
A capitals-only, single-weight design was prepared around 1933 for usage on Britain's roadway network, and stayed in use up until Jock Kinnear and Margaret Calvert's 'Transport Alphabet' was presented for Britain's very first freeway in 1958.
.The identity of the original designer is not protected; however, Antony Froshaug in a 1963 'Style' publication article points out Edward Johnston as an advisor. Speculation that it was based on Johnston's London Transportation alphabet is discussed in archived federal government documents from 1957: "So far as I am mindful, the Ministry alphabet was not based on Johnston's style; undoubtedly, it has actually been suggested that Gill got his idea from Johnston. Our alphabet was based upon recommendations from Hubert Llewellyn-Smith (then chairman of the British Institute of Industrial Art) and Mr. J. G. West, a senior designer of H. M. Workplace of Functions."
.A 1955-57 revision of the alphabet which polished the somewhat mechanical elements of the original may be the work of stone carver and typographer David Kindersley.
.For the digitisation, Rian Hughes added a completely new lower case, italics and a variety of weights. The lower case simulates the kinds of the capitals any place possible, taking cues form Gill and Johnston for letters such as the a and g, with single-tier variations in the italic.
.A uniquely British typeface that is now offered in a flexible household for contemporary use.
.Font Family:
