Franklin Gothic is a quintessential American sans-serif that embodies the bold, industrial spirit of early 20th-century typography. Originally designed by Morris Fuller Benton for ATF in 1902, this typeface features robust, condensed letterforms with minimal stroke contrast and squared-off terminals that give it exceptional strength and presence. The relatively closed apertures and compact character spacing create dense, economical text blocks, while the moderate x-height maintains excellent readability across sizes. Its distinctive character lies in the perfect balance between geometric precision and subtle humanist warmth, making it more approachable than purely geometric alternatives while retaining commanding authority.
