Helvetica was created in 1957 by Max Miedinger and was given the name Hass-Grotesk. The typeface was designed for the Haas’sche Schriftgielberei type foundry of Switzerland. According to www.fonco.com Helvetica is “delivered from Helvetia, the Roman name for Switzerland". In 1961 Stempel, (a German company), released versions of the typeface and Haas-Grotesk became Helvetica.
During the 1960s Helvetica became increasingly popular. The typeface replaced Akzidenz Grotesk on the signage for New York City's Subway System. It was also being used for the signage for Canada’s National Film Board and Chicago “L”. The typeface is now used on well known brands which include American Airlines, Apple INC, BMW, Microsoft and Panasonic.
Microsoft created a typeface uncannily similar to Helvetia titled “Arial”. Fontco state the typeface, “Arial”, as being “essentially created as a cheaper unauthorized Helvetica clone.” Microsoft received a number of criticisms towards their typeface for the similarity of Helvetica.
The typeface is a well known and loved font by most typographers, so much so that New York’s Museum of Modern Art held an exhibition celebrating “50 years of Helvetica”. However this love is not held by everyone. Neville Brody (typographer) states “when people choose Helvetica they want to fit in and look normal.” A statement that will get many typographers opinions granted.
References;
www.fontco.com/font-facts/helvetica.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helvetica
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/30/style/30iht-design2.1.5085303.html http://www.ehow.com/facts_5783583_helvetica-information.html
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