Bolton Hill in Baltimore, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Mergenthaler House

Photographed By Christopher Busta-Peck, March 24, 2008

1. Mergenthaler House Marker

Inscription. From 1894 to 1899, this house was the residence of Ottmar Mergenthaler, a German immigrant who revolutionized the art of printing with his invention of the Linotype. Previously a typesetter searched for a single character, then placed it in a line for printing; Mergenthaler’s machine enabled him to assemble and cast an entire line of type in a matter of seconds.

His machine was patented in 1884, but his first commercial demonstraion did not occur until two years later in the composing room of the New York Tribune.

By 1900, there were 8,000 linotype machines in newspaper plants across the nation; by 1970, there were more than 200,000 worldwide. It has been estimated that until the recent developments in cold type processes, the Linotype machine, or its descendants, set 80% of all the text read in the world.

The Mergenthaler House was built in 1874-1875 by Joseph S. Hopkins, nephew of the noted philanthropist, Johns Hopkins.

Erected by the City of Baltimore, Printing Industries of Maryland, Inc., sponsor, and William Donald Schaefer, mayor.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Maryland, Baltimore City historical markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1894.

Location.

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39° 18.367′ N, 76° 37.372′ W. Marker is in Baltimore, Maryland. It is in Bolton Hill. Marker is on West Lanvale Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Baltimore MD 21217, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Ernest Stebbins, M.D. (within shouting distance of this marker); F. Scott Fitzgerald (within shouting distance of this marker); Family and Children’s Services of Central Maryland (within shouting distance of this marker); Edith Hamilton / Alice Hamilton, M.D. (within shouting distance of this marker); Colonel Charles Marshall (within shouting distance of this marker); William Edwards Stevenson (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Florence Rena Sabin, M.D. (about 300 feet away); Hugh Lennox Bond (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baltimore.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This link is to a marker for a Linotype at the Washington Post.

Mergenthaler House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Christopher Busta-Peck, March 24, 2008

2. Mergenthaler House

The marker is just to the right of the front door.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 11, 2015

3. Mergenthaler House Marker

Photographed By Christopher Busta-Peck, March 24, 2008

4. Mergenthaler House

Mergenthaler demonstrates linotype to publisher of New York Tribune image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 11, 2015

5. Mergenthaler demonstrates linotype to publisher of New York Tribune

Close-up of image on marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 3, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 25, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,226 times since then and 87 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 25, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. 3. submitted on August 27, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 4. submitted on March 25, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. 5. submitted on August 27, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.