Der Typografiestreit der Moderne. Max Bill kontra Jan Tschichold

As soon as it comes to aesthetics, which involves non-exactly measurable aspects, there are different attitudes. Even in typography, type designers have repeatedly expressed differing opinions on the suitability of various typefaces, the optimal layout, the use of decorative elements, etc. Hans Rudolf Bosshard provides some historical examples—from Bodoni and Bertuch to Morris and Morison—to illustrate the so-called typographic dispute of modernity between Jan Tschichold and Max Bill, which took place in 1946 and stirred quite a debate. The trigger was a lecture by Tschichold titled "Constants of Typography," in which he significantly relativized his earlier, authoritative rules for the new typography due to his negative experiences with the Nazi regime. Max Bill was disappointed by the change of heart of the former pioneer of the new typography and saw it as a call for a turnaround.