Font Detective and Barcodes Overview

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What does the title 'MISSA' signify in Latin?

To remember

To observe

To create

To be sent (correct)

How many pairs of army boots are featured in the artwork 'MISSA'?

50 pairs

200 pairs

75 pairs

100 pairs (correct)

What material is used to create the 'MISSA' artwork?

Mono-filament and metal grid (correct)

Wood and stone

Glass and clay

Plastic and fabric

What does the uniform arrangement of the boots in 'MISSA' symbolize?

Mindlessness and sameness in war Signup and view all the answers

What mood does the grayscale presentation of 'MISSA' contribute to?

Ominous and reflective Signup and view all the answers

What does 'MISSA' prompt viewers to reflect on?

Dehumanizing aspects of war Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the negative spaces in 'MISSA'?

Contributing to an ominous feeling Signup and view all the answers

What type of barcode did Joe Woodland initially patent?

Circular bullseye barcode Signup and view all the answers

What artistic medium was mentioned in relation to a New Zealand scholar?

Painting on pizza dough Signup and view all the answers

Which company played a key role by submitting a barcode system at the last minute?

IBM Signup and view all the answers

What significant event happened in July 1972 related to barcodes?

The first automated checkstands were installed Signup and view all the answers

Which committee was formed to create a universal product code system?

The Ad Hoc Committee of the Universal Product Identification Code Signup and view all the answers

What year did Kmart begin to adopt the rectangular barcode system?

1980 Signup and view all the answers

What motivated Thomas Phinney to pursue a career in font forensics?

An attorney's request for help with a suspected forgery Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary feature of Amazon Go convenience stores?

A frictionless shopping experience without checkouts Signup and view all the answers

Which technologies are combined in Amazon Go’s 'Just Walk Out' system?

Computer vision, sensor fusion, and deep learning Signup and view all the answers

Which tool did Phinney use in his font analysis?

A digital microscope Signup and view all the answers

What significant realization did Phinney make in 'The case of the Wicked Will'?

The printer used for the document didn't exist at the claimed time Signup and view all the answers

When did Joe Woodland receive the National Medal of Technology?

1992 Signup and view all the answers

How does Phinney categorize his forensic cases?

Nefarious and Stupidly Tiny forgeries Signup and view all the answers

In what year did Phinney shift his main job focus to font forensics?

2018 Signup and view all the answers

What impacts the perception of a brand according to Phinney?

Font choices made in marketing materials Signup and view all the answers

What unusual case did Phinney evaluate regarding typography?

Tiny typography on a Justin Timberlake CD Signup and view all the answers

What is one of Phinney's dream cases?

A case with major implications affecting many people Signup and view all the answers

What was the estimated cost of constructing the pyramid proposed by E.S. Wheeler?

1 billion Signup and view all the answers

In which year did E.S. Wheeler propose the idea of building a pyramid in Detroit?

1908 Signup and view all the answers

How many days of work did Wheeler estimate would be required for the pyramid construction?

24 million days Signup and view all the answers

What whimsical calculation did Wheeler suggest about the number of pyramids that could be constructed daily?

2.5 pyramids Signup and view all the answers

What was the proposed location for the pyramid in Detroit?

Cadillac's village Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'bureaucratic' refer to in the context of Wheeler's discussion about the American legal system?

Complicated and time-consuming Signup and view all the answers

What challenge did Wheeler mention that would arise during the construction of the pyramid?

Bureaucratic hurdles Signup and view all the answers

What is the estimated monetary value of Egypt's tourism industry mentioned in the discussion?

30 billion Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary theme represented in the artwork featuring a pale yellow background?

Entropy and data loss Signup and view all the answers

What limitation does the VR experience highlighted in the first exhibit currently have?

It can only accommodate one person at a time. Signup and view all the answers

Which exhibit featured at the Massachusetts Museum inspired 'La Camera Insabbiata'?

Chalkroom Signup and view all the answers

How many participants can engage in 'La Camera Insabbiata' at one time?

Four participants Signup and view all the answers

What type of experience does 'La Camera Insabbiata' aim to provide to its participants?

A calming yet abstract experience Signup and view all the answers

What does the artist Hsin-Chien Huang emphasize about VR technology?

It opens the door to endless possibilities. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the rooms participants explore in 'La Camera Insabbiata'?

Tree Room Signup and view all the answers

What does the intentional shattering and disorganization in the first exhibit symbolize?

A metaphor for entropy Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Font Detective Thomas Phinney

Thomas Phinney is a font detective.
Phinney's career began when a lawyer asked him to analyse a suspected forgery.
He uses a digital microscope and pixel counting to analyze fonts.
His first case, named "The case of the Wicked Will," involved deducing that the printer used for the document didn't exist at the suggested date.
Phinney's website, Sciencegothic.com, showcases a typeface creator capable of representing over 500 moods and feelings.
Phinney's main job eventually shifted to font forensics in 2018.
Font forensics cases are categorized into two types: Nefarious, involving ill-intent forgeries, and "Stupidly Tiny," determining if documents meet specific requirements.

The Barcode's Journey

The barcode was inspired by the circular bullseye barcode designed by Joe Woodland in the 1940s.
The first automated checkstands using the barcode were installed at Kroger Kenwood Plaza in Cincinnati in 1972.
The barcode needed to be universal, resulting in the creation of the Ad Hoc Committee of the Universal Product Identification Code.
IBM joined the race at the last minute, employing Joe Woodland and creating the rectangular barcode.
The rectangular barcode faced skepticism from manufacturers initially but took off when mass merchandisers like Kmart adopted the system in 1980.

Amazon Go

Amazon Go convenience stores operate on a "just walk out" concept, eliminating the need for traditional checkouts.
The technology behind Amazon Go stores includes computer vision, sensor fusion, deep learning, and other cutting-edge elements.
The technology keeps track of the inventory of items customers pick up, ensuring they are charged accurately upon leaving the store.

MISSA (1992-2012)

This artwork consists of 100 pairs of army boots, created using mono-filament and a metal grid.
The piece is part of the Musee des beaux-arts de Montreal collection, housed in the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
The title, “MISSA,” means “to be sent” in Latin and also serves as the origin of the word “mass.”
The 100 pairs of army boots are arranged uniformly, with all the right shoes lifted in unison.
This positioning may carry connotations of the mindlessness and treachery often associated with war.
The negative spaces in the composition contribute to the ominous feeling, suggesting a historical context of war and conflict.
The grayscale presentation adds to the atmosphere, letting viewers reflect on war.

How Many Pyramids Could Thy Build?

In 1908, engineer E.S. Wheeler entertained the idea of building a pyramid in Detroit.
The proposed location for the pyramid was a 12-acre site in Detroit, in Cadillac's village.
Wheeler estimated the cost of constructing the pyramid to be almost 1 billion in today's money.
He suggested that the construction would require 24 million days of work.
Using today's population figures, Wheeler whimsically suggested that 2.5 pyramids could be constructed daily.

Cryptic Artwork 2: La Camera Insabbiata

"La Camera Insabbiata" is a unique VR experience showcased in the outdoor plaza of the Taipei Fine Arts Museum.
It is inspired by Laurie Anderson and Hsin-Chien Huang's previous work, "Chalkroom."
"La Camera Insabbiata" delves into the creation of exclusive worlds, drawing inspiration from personal experiences and memories.
It offers participants a calming, yet abstract experience, inviting them into virtual thinking spaces that defy the conventions of physics and reason.
The virtual journey goes through eight rooms: The Cloud, Anagram, Dog, Water, Sound, Dance, Writing, and Tree rooms.
As participants move through these virtual spaces, the fabric of reality seems to unravel.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore the fascinating world of font forensics and the evolution of barcodes. Discover how Thomas Phinney uses specialized techniques to uncover font-related mysteries, as well as the historical development of barcodes from their inception to modern-day applications. This quiz delves into both topics, highlighting significant milestones and key figures.