Michael Kleper papers

Collection

Identifier: CSC-171

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Michael Kleper papers contain materials from 1950 through 2000, with the bulk of the papers dated between 1971 and 1981.

This collection contains materials related to phototypesetting, printing, digital publishing, and imaging technology created through the course of Kleper’s role as an author and professor. Contents include legal papers, correspondence, writings, clippings, printed material, and photographic material.

The Michael Kleper papers have been arranged into six series, one of which have been divided into subseries. This collection is housed in 26 document boxes.

Dates

Creation: 1950 - 2000
Creation: Majority of material found within 1971 - 1981

Creator

Kleper, Michael L. (Person)

Conditions Governing Use

This collection is open to researchers.

Biographical / Historical

A native of Hamden, Connecticut, Michael L. Kleper attended and earned his B.S. (1969) and M.S. (1972) degrees from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). Kleper joined the RIT faculty in 1969, working for RIT’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID), later becoming a member of the Senior Faculty in the Digital Imaging and Publishing Technology Department. He taught courses in printing, digital publishing, and imaging technology. Kleper retired in 2006 as a Professor Emeritus.

Kleper has published several books and articles that chronicle the history, development, and practical applications of typesetting, digital imaging, display technologies, printing, publishing, and laser engraving. His work, The Handbook of Digital Publishing, is a two-volume set published by Prentice Hall, and is the largest work ever produced on the topic and one of the largest on the subject of publishing. He published The Personal Composition Report and The Digest of Information on Phototypsetting (DIPpy)1, newsletters on direct input phototypesetting. He is the founder and editor-in- chief of The Kleper Report on Digital Publishing, a newsletter started 1979, and wrote a series of articles in TypeWorld magazine on phototypesetting called “Phototypesetting Roots”.

Kleper was named the Paul and Louise Miller Distinguished Professor in the School of Printing Management and Sciences (SPMS), part of the College of Imaging Arts and Sciences at Rochester Institute of Technology in 2001. That same year he was named as a Fulbright Senior Specialist.

Kleper continues to write and publish; he released his most recent work on laser engraving in 2022.

1. Some DIPpy newsletters are available in the Louis Moyroud papers.↩

Extent

10.8 Linear Feet (This collection is housed in 26 document boxes.)

Language

English

Additional Description

Overview

The Michael Kleper papers document Kleper’s role as an expert, educator, and author in the fields of phototypesetting, printing, digital publishing, and imaging technology and is mainly comprised of technical and company references in addition to publication and teaching work. The bulk of the materials are dated between 1971 and 1981.

Physical Location

Graphic Design Archives, Cary Collection Annex.

Custodial History

The Michael Kleper papers were donated by Michael Kleper to the Rochester Institute of Technology in 26 boxes.

Related Materials

Related materials include publications that were transferred to the library from this collection including books, booklets, newsletters, magazines, newspapers, specimens, and published standards.

Related archival materials include the Louis Moyroud papers, Edward Rondthaler papers, William F. Wheatley papers, Seybold collection, Ed Benguiat collection, and Harry Rab slide collection. These collections can be located here: https://archivesspace.rit.edu/.