Barnhart Brothers & Spindler

Barnhart Brothers & Spindler (BB&S) was an American type foundry based in Chicago, founded in 1868. The company became known for innovative typeface designs and was a significant force in American typography before merging with American Type Founders (ATF).

The Cooper Black Story

Cooper Black, designed by Oswald Bruce Cooper in 1922, became one of the most distinctive and widely-used display typefaces of the twentieth century. Its friendly, rounded letterforms with heavy strokes made it perfect for advertising and signage.

Historic Significance

BB&S was one of the major American type foundries during the golden age of metal type. The company competed with ATF and other foundries to create innovative designs for the booming advertising industry.

Notable Typefaces

BB&S created several influential designs:

• Cooper Black - The iconic rounded display face
• Cooper Oldstyle - A more refined version of Cooper's design
• Wedding Text - A blackletter design for formal occasions

Cultural Impact

Cooper Black has appeared everywhere from Beach Boys album covers to Garfield comics. Its friendly, approachable personality made it a favorite for brands wanting to appear warm and inviting.

Legacy

After BB&S merged with ATF, its typefaces became part of the larger ATF library. Cooper Black has been digitized by multiple foundries and remains one of the most recognizable typefaces in design history.