Mergenthaler, Ottmar (1854-1899)

German-born US inventor of the Linotype machine 1884-86. Casting hot-metal type in complete lines, this greatly speeded typesetting and revolutionized printing and publishing. Mergenthaler was born in Württemberg and apprenticed to a watchmaker. He emigrated to the USA in 1872 and settled in Baltimore 1876, working for James O Clephane. They tried to develop a writing machine but abandoned the idea and in 1884 produced a prototype of the Linotype machine. By 1886, the first machines were in use and a company was formed for their production. Over the years, Mergenthaler contributed as many as 50 modifications to the original design.