the days Gutenberg[3]." He lived to see his system become the standard of the English-speaking world. At 80 years old he commented in regards to life: "The only benefit I have derived from it lies in the satisfaction of having been successful in giving the printing craft something useful and lasting." He died on July 2, 1929, at age 89. Another point system, invented in 1734 by Pierre Simon Fournier of France, was the first point system to be proposed. However it was not widely known. Hawks was not aware of Fournier's work when he developed his own point system, which is the one used today. There is however a strong connection between the Fournier-system and the American Pica. Benjamin Franklin bought from Fournier "matrices of an old foundry". Franklin had his grandson B. F. Bache instructed in the art by Fournier with the intent to establish an extensive foundry in Philadelphia. This foundry was no success, it was neglected and Bache abandoned it. After the Franklin died, the typefoundry tools came in possession of his relative Duane, who lend all materials to Binny & Ronaldson at that present the only foundry of importance in Philadelphia. Ronaldsson was impressed with the superiority of these tools, as was Binny. They made use of the Fourney mould for their pica. This standard was accepted by their successors L. Johnson & Co and the MacKellar, Smiths & Jordan Co. The slight deviation from the size of the Fournier-mould (4 points in one thousand) can be explained by the long-term use of the moulds in those days. See also Typographic unit References [1] Karl Arhart, paraphrasing information from "Origin of the American Point System" by Richard L. Hopkins. [2] "Explanation of the Point System of Printing Type with Specimens" by Nelson C. Hawks, Island City Press, Alameda, California, 1918. [3] Speech given by 'Mr. Bright of the St. Louis Type Foundry' before the American Type Founders Association, New York City in 1892, as quoted in [2]. 1840 births 1929 deaths Businesspeople from Milwaukee American printers