Italics were originally designed to make books easier to carry

Cultures · Published 1 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Before it was a tool for emphasis, italic type was a revolution in portability. Born in 15th-century Italy, this cursive style allowed printers to shrink the size of popular books without sacrificing readability, transforming how humans consumed literature and shared knowledge.

Italic type emerged in Venice around 1500, pioneered by the printer Aldus Manutius. Unlike modern usage where italics highlight specific words, Manutius intended them for the body text of small, portable editions of popular works like poetry. By replicating the fluid style of contemporary calligraphy—specifically 'chancery hand'—Manutius could create compact books that were easy to hold in one hand and learn by heart, a significant departure from the large-format volumes of the era.

The technical execution was led by punchcutter Francesco Griffo, who cut at least sixty-five ligatures (tied letters) for early editions of Virgil and Dante. These designs were distinct from 'oblique' type; while obliques are simply slanted versions of roman letters, true italics feature unique cursive letterforms inspired by the handwriting of calligraphers like Pomponio Leto. Despite a patent granted to Manutius by the Venetian Senate, the style was widely counterfeited as early as 1502, spreading rapidly across Europe.

The evolution of the typeface saw various shifts in aesthetics and function. By the late 16th century, printers began using italics for emphasis—a practice that became standard by the 17th century. Significant stylistic changes occurred over time, such as the shift to an open-form 'h' in the 1690s. Today, while true italics remain a staple of serif fonts, many sans-serif faces utilize oblique designs, which some designers argue feel more 'keen and insistent' than the softer, organic curves of traditional italics.

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