If you’ve ever written a school paper, opened a Word doc, or printed something “serious,” chances are you’ve met Times New Roman. It’s one of the most widely used typefaces in the world—so familiar it practically fades into the background. But behind its ordinary appearance is a story that includes newspaper deadlines, type design breakthroughs, and even a bit of controversy.
The font was born in 1931, created for the British newspaper The Times of London. The paper’s printing quality was falling behind, and they wanted a new typeface that looked sharper and was easier to read on newsprint. They commissioned Stanley Morison, a typographic advisor at Monotype, to oversee the project. Morison worked with Victor Lardent, a staff artist at The Times, to design the new typeface. Their goal was to make a font that was highly legible in small sizes, space-efficient, and classic-looking but modern and functional. The result was Times New Roman, a serif typeface with balanced proportions, strong vertical contrast, and just enough elegance to feel trustworthy. It was named afterThe Times newspaper. It made its debut in the October 3, 1932 issue of the paper, and people took notice. It was crisp, efficient, and easy on the eyes even in long columns of text.
After a year of exclusivity in The Times, the font was released to the public through Monotype. Over time, it spread far beyond newspapers. In the digital age, it became a default typeface in Microsoft Word and other programs. That’s when Times New Roman truly took over the world, appearing in school assignments, government forms, office memos, and more. It became so common that many people now associate it with “formal” or “boring” documents. But when it was new, it was actually a clever and efficient design upgrade. Some designers love it due to the fact it is highly readable and time-tested, while others hate it since it is everywhere, making it feel generic. Some creatives avoid it just because it feels overused. Others appreciate it as a reliable classic with deep roots in type history. From 1930s newsrooms to your modern laptop, it’s a reminder that even the most “basic” things we use every day often have rich, thoughtful origins.