Twilight of the Velocipede Typesetting Races before the Age of Linotype Before Linotype revolutionised typesetting in the 1880s, compositors set texts by hand — and they set them fast. Alex Wright rediscovers the thrilling world of typesetting races, which drew crowds in the thousands, offered huge cash prizes, and helped women "Swifts" fight for workplace equity. May 13, 2026 On the afternoon of ...