komposisjonsstokk

A komposisjonsstokk, which translates to "composition stick" or "composition log" in English, is a historical tool used in the printing industry, particularly during the era of letterpress printing. Its primary function was to assist compositors in arranging and holding movable type into lines and columns of text before they were locked into a forme for printing.

The komposisjonsstokk was typically a flat piece of wood or metal with a movable or adjustable side. Compositors would place individual pieces of type into the stick, aligning them face up. The adjustable side allowed the compositor to set the width of the line of type. As lines were completed, they would be slid to the end of the stick, and new lines would be added above or below, creating the column.

This tool was essential for achieving uniform line spacing and ensuring that the type remained organized and stable during the composition process. Once a galley of composed type was filled, it would be transferred to a larger frame called a forme for locking up and printing. The use of the komposisjonsstokk significantly streamlined the laborious task of typesetting by hand, contributing to the efficiency and accuracy of printed materials for centuries. While largely obsolete with the advent of modern phototypesetting and digital printing, it remains an important artifact in the history of printing technology.