Historical information
This is a set of nine photographs of cartographic typesetting equipment and personnel in Cartographic Squadron at the Army Survey Regiment, Fortuna, Bendigo circa 1968 to 1979. The rooms on the top floor of Fortuna Villa where the photos were taken were formally the nursery and boys bedrooms during the Lansell family’s occupation of the building. The Fotosetter type setting machine replaced the letterpress method of type production in 1956. Its operator entered the text using a type order provided by cartographic draughtsmen/ draughtswomen. The type was output on a film positive, which was contacted onto strip film. The text was cut out by cartographic draughtsmen/ draughtswomen and affixed onto type sheets using bees wax. Cartographic Squadron’s CPL Arty Lane specialised in the operation of the Fotosetter type setting machine for many years, as shown in photos .3P and .4P. For more information on the Fotosetter, see page 71 of Valerie Lovejoy’s book 'Mapmakers of Fortuna – A history of the Army Survey Regiment’ ISBN: 0-646-42120-4.
The computer based Editwriter Model 7500 typesetting system was introduced in 1975 as a replacement to the aging Fotosetter. It was operated by a specialised technician, who generated a large variety of map type styles and sizes quickly and reliably, as well as text panels. Output on Copy proof adhesive backed stripping type film replaced messy wax and spray adhesives in 1978. The Editwriter capability supported all RASvy units and its contractor type setting requirements. SGT Jim McDonald operated the Editwriter for a couple of years in the late 1970’s. He is seen in photos .7P and .8P. reading off a type order and entering text into the computer. See item 6181.23P, photo .1P for a reduced scale photo of SGT Jim McDonald undertaking this task. Also see item 6123.12P photos .1P and .2P featuring CPL Paul Richards, who was another technician that operated the Editwriter for several years in the 1980s. The Editwriter was also operated by SSGT Pat Lumsden, as featured in photo .9P taken in 1979. The Monotype Photolettering Machine seen in photos .5P and .6P is understood to be in service for a shorter period, as it was not as productive compared to the Fotosetter and Editwriter.
Physical description
This is a set of nine photographs of cartographic typesetting equipment at the Army Survey Regiment, Fortuna, Bendigo, c1968 to c1979. Black and white photos are on photographic paper and scanned at 300 dpi.
.1) - Photo, black & white, c1960s, Fotosetter type setting machine, unidentified technician.
.2) - Photo, black & white, c1960s, Fotosetter type setting machine.
.3) to .4) - Photo, black & white, c1968, Fotosetter type setting machine, CPL Arty Lane.
.5) to .6) - Photo, black & white, c1970s, Monotype Photolettering Machine, unidentified technician.
.7) to .8) - Photo, black & white, c1979, Typesetting machine, ‘Editwriter’ Model 7500, SGT Jim McDonald.
.9) - Photo, black & white, 1979, Typesetting machine, ‘Editwriter’ Model 7500, SSGT Pat Lumsden.
Inscriptions & markings
Personnel and equipment are identified in photos .1P to .3P. on a card. A description is provided: ‘Fotosetter: This model was used from 1956 to 1974. Where photograph was taken: Army Survey Regiment. Person in Photograph: Arty Lane. Approx date photograph taken: 1968. Any Misc Information: All type on maps was set on this machine. The operator of the machine (Ex SGT Lane) joined the Army in 1956 and was discharged in 1977. Also with Survey from 1942 to 1946. Information given by: Arty Lane’. Photo .9P is dated 1979 on the back.’
