CMM Coda is based on Dual Basic, a typeface designed in the 1960s for the IBM Selectric typewriter. It was one of the first machines where fonts could be switched via “type balls” and characters could be stored on magnetic band – thus an early analogue word-processor and important bridge technology between typewriter and computer.
Interestingly, both “typewriter” and “computer” were once terms to describe the female workforce operating the machines. Starting the late 19th century, typewriters enabled women to pursue careers such as typists, punchcard operators and telegraphists. Because women’s work used to be strongly associated with meticulousness, computing was considered well suited to women. In fact, the first people to write a computer program were women (ENIAC Six), the first software engineers in history. Thus, women have always occupied important roles in the transitioning of these technologies.
CMM Coda draws a conceptual and typographic connection between the notions of typing, coding and writing. It connects feminist histories of typewriters and software engineering with roles and visualities of monospaced and proportionally spaced typefaces characteristic for writing processes associated with typing, coding and writing.
| Pipeline Stage | C |
| Character Set | Comma Set C |
| Designed | 2022–2024 |
| Released | 2024 |
| Design & Mastering | Anna Cairns |
IBM Selectric typewriter
© Source
Type ball for Dual Basic typeface
Stylistic Set: Normalized proportions
Stylistic Set: Alternate a
Stylistic Set: Simple 1
Contextual Alternate & Stylistic Set: Alternate Asterisk (German gender symbol)
IBM Selectric typewriter
© Source
Type ball for Dual Basic typeface
Stylistic Set: Normalized proportions
Stylistic Set: Alternate a
Stylistic Set: Simple 1
Contextual Alternate & Stylistic Set: Alternate Asterisk (German gender symbol)
