The Font That Changed History

WWI was a pivotal ordeal for the world, changing not only the way people lived but also the fonts that were used. In the years leading up to WWI, something called Modernism was in the making. Modernism consisted of clean lines, simplicity, and grid-like appeal. Following WWII Modernism really took off, serving as a worldwide rebirth from the atrocities of the Great War. Leading this rebirth was Helvetica.

Helvetica has been the center of typeface debate for over 20 years, with some people believing the sans-serif font is a godsend and others interpreting it as an overused tool designed to instill fascism and perpetuate conformity. 

"Don't confuse legibility with communication. Just because something is legible doesn't mean it communicates and, more importantly, doesn't mean it communicates the right thing." - David Carson

What Carson is saying is just because the font can be easily read doesn't mean it is easily understood or that it is being used effectively. Helvetica is a typeface that can fit into a wide array of different subjects and still be considered appropriate, however, is appropriate the highest standard for conveying a message or marketing a product.

You cannot look around without seeing Helvetica being used somewhere. It is no secret that the miracle font is constantly doing its duty to employ neutral and humanistic qualities to companies, products, ideas, and other forms of social media. Regardless of if the user is actually as good as Helvetica makes them look, once you see it your mind is made up and has no choice but to assume that they're friendly because Helvetica tells you that. Whatever you think is your choice is actually the world shaping you into what you're supposed to be. When you see Helvetica you immediately have a sub conscious intrigue towards it, whatever it may be, you may not act on it immediately but it draws you in. A marketing tool that is used to persuade you into consuming and believing that your purchase (product or idea) was entirely worth it. Humans are critical thinking machines and, personally, I find consistency and routine extremely dull. I prefer variety and contrast; seeing or hearing something being overused becomes very unpleasant just like playing a song you love over and over until you hate it. Whether or not Helvetica is what it is is entirely personal, although it brings a certain identity to our culture that was simply non existent preceding WWI and II.