in bold type

Origin

Before the advent of widespread printing, scribes would occasionally enlarge or darken letters to draw attention, but true 'bold type' as a distinct font weight began to emerge with the refinement of typography. Printers in the 17th and 18th centuries experimented with heavier ink applications and thicker strokes to create emphasis, aiming to capture the reader's eye in a sea of uniform text. By the 19th century, with the rise of industrial printing and the ability to design typefaces with varying weights, 'bold type' became a standard and essential tool for highlighting crucial information, screaming headlines, and giving visual hierarchy to printed materials, transforming how information was consumed and understood.