VOA慢速英语2015 用旧机器制造现代产品

Old Machines Make Modern Products 用旧机器制造现代产品

In 2012, two friends in their 20s made a brave decision. They left their jobs as graphic¹ designers for an American magazine to open their own printing business. Then a third friend decided² to join them because the idea seemed just too good to be true.

The three young artists are now using traditional printing methods and machinery³ to create modern designs for their business.

The business, called Typecase Industries, serves the Washington, D.C. area. The company uses a 360-kilogram platen letterpress machine to make its creative designs. The letterpress is nearly 100 years old and lacks a motor. That means artist Emily Doenlen has to use pressure from her foot to add the design to the paper.

“We print mostly coasters on it. When we first started doing orders, it was 100. When you get up to 1,000 or 2,000 or 3,000 coasters, it’s a lot of work!”

Emily Doenlen and Stephanie are co-owners of Typecase Industries. Their company has three letter press machines. None of these machines are made anymore. The Vandercook-4, for example, was first manufactured in 1935 and produced for about 30 years.

Everything at Typecase Industries is done by hand. Workers mix the colors, feed paper into the machines, add oil to the letterpress and clean it.

But why choose to work with old machines? Why not just print from a computer? Stephanie Hess says she likes the older equipment.

“It offers a very different service than the digital does now. For me, it really goes back to the tactile⁴ quality of being able to like feel the paper and feel what you’re printing or making. Each print can be a little bit different. You get out of your comfort zone because you’re working in a different capacity. It’s not a computer screen. There is no undo⁵ button.”

Alessandra Echeverri is also with the company. She says she enjoyed taking the old printing presses and giving them a new purpose.

“First, we had to learn how to use the machine, which was a different style than what we were taught at school. It gives you a higher level of appreciation⁶ of craftsmanship⁷ and mechanics and stuff that’s usually outside of the realm of fine arts. It’s a new world. Then once you understand how it works, what prints work best, what looks best on it, you start to design specifically for that.”

She says learning how to operate an old machine and repair it, if necessary, was not the most difficult part of the job.

“I’d say it’s been learning how business works versus⁸ how creative art works. We didn’t know business practices particularly. That has been the biggest learning curve.”

But Emily Doenlen says they learned.

“It’s a total dream come true, being able to own your own business, have your own schedule. All of the work is personal. We try to keep everything we do very hands-on, very intimate with our clients.”

Typecase Industries serves both businesses and individuals. It has produced everything from restaurant menus and colorful posters to business cards. The goal is to creating something that makes the clients happy.

That is what happened when Anne Han and Joshua Garcia went to Typecase Industries. The two were busy making plans to get married, and asked the company to design their wedding invitations.

“My style tended more towards like vintage kind. I love the letter press designs. I love feeling like the texture⁹ on the invitation."

As the three friends learn more about their repurposed machines, they are using the old technology to create new designs and business success.

Words in This Story

brave - v. having no fear

business - n. one’s work; buying and selling to earn money; trade

modern - adj. of the present or very recent time; the most improved

company - n. a business organized for trade, industrial or other purposes

1 graphic   

adj.生动的，形象的，绘画的，文字的，图表的

参考例句：

• The book gave a graphic description of the war.这本书生动地描述了战争的情况。
• Distinguish important text items in lists with graphic icons.用图标来区分重要的文本项。

2 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

3 machinery   

n.(总称)机械，机器；机构

参考例句：

• Has the machinery been put up ready for the broadcast?广播器材安装完毕了吗？
• Machinery ought to be well maintained all the time.机器应该随时注意维护。

4 tactile   

adj.触觉的，有触觉的，能触知的

参考例句：

• Norris is an expert in the tactile and the tangible.诺里斯创作最精到之处便是，他描绘的人物使人看得见摸得着。
• Tactile communication uses touch rather than sight or hearing.触觉交流，是用触摸感觉，而不是用看或听来感觉。

5 undo   

vt.解开，松开；取消，撤销

参考例句：

• His pride will undo him some day.他的傲慢总有一天会毁了他。
• I managed secretly to undo a corner of the parcel.我悄悄地设法解开了包裹的一角。

6 appreciation   

n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨

参考例句：

• I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to you all.我想对你们所有人表达我的感激和谢意。
• I'll be sending them a donation in appreciation of their help.我将送给他们一笔捐款以感谢他们的帮助。

7 craftsmanship   

n.手艺

参考例句：

• The whole house is a monument to her craftsmanship. 那整座房子是她技艺的一座丰碑。
• We admired the superb craftsmanship of the furniture. 我们很欣赏这个家具的一流工艺。

8 versus   

prep.以…为对手，对；与…相比之下

参考例句：

• The big match tonight is England versus Spain.今晚的大赛是英格兰对西班牙。
• The most exciting game was Harvard versus Yale.最富紧张刺激的球赛是哈佛队对耶鲁队。

9 texture   

n.(织物)质地；(材料)构造；结构；肌理

参考例句：

• We could feel the smooth texture of silk.我们能感觉出丝绸的光滑质地。
• Her skin has a fine texture.她的皮肤细腻。