FACTFILE: GILL SANS

Gill Sans is the name given to the sans serif typeface designed by Arthur Eric Rowton Gill in 1928. It was inspired by Edward Johnston’s typeface designed for the London Underground in 1916, which is perhaps no surprise, given that Gill worked on the project in its early days. The LNER adopted Gill Sans in 1929 and it appeared on station signs, publicity material and ‘A4’ locomotive tenders (in the form of stainless steel letters). British Railways also adopted Gill Sans as its typeface and it is still used today.