The Tactile Book: Embossing Systems for Blind Readers

In this Letterform Lecture with Mike Hudson, we will explore the surprisingly complex history of printing for readers who are visually impaired.

Louis Braille published his monumental work introducing the Braille System in 1829. That book, the Procede pour ecrire les Paroles… was embossed in raised letters, a system invented by Valentin Haüy. Only six known copies survive today. Books in alternative tactile formats had been available in France since 1786, but it would not be until the 20th century that braille would be adopted around the world.

In this Letterform Lecture, Mike Hudson will lead us on an exploration of the surprisingly complex history of printing and embossing for readers who are blind or visually impaired.

This and all Letterform Lectures are a public aspect of the Type West postgraduate certificate program. Register to attend remotely.