HELVETICA: THE TYPEFACE THAT REDEFINED MODERN TYPOGRAPHY

Helvetica: Born in Switzerland in 1957, Helvetica emerged from the creative mind of graphic designer Max Alfons Miedinger. At the behest of Edouard Hoffmann, director of the Haas typographic foundry in the mid-1950s, Helvetica was conceived to rival the Akzidenz Grotesk, a 19th-century sans-serif typeface. Initially introduced as Neue Haas Grotesk in 1957, it later adopted the name Helvetica in 1960, derived from the Latin word for Switzerland, making it easier to export across the Atlantic.

Gradually, Helvetica gained immense popularity, gracing the streets of New York and even becoming an emblem of the city. Designer Massimo Vignelli chose it for the entire subway signage system. Since then, Helvetica has become ubiquitous worldwide, embraced by major brands like Fendi, The North Face, Jeep, American Apparel, and Panasonic. It also accompanied NASA’s space shuttle program from 1972 to 2011 and adorned the livery of the F1 team Haas.

More than a mere typeface, Helvetica symbolizes neutrality, emphasizing substance over form.

📷: Esteban Chinchilla / Christian Lucas / Florent Gooden