# Name of computeresque typeface? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 29, 2007, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-of-computeresque-typeface/389975 "2007-01-29T15:41:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2007, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-of-computeresque-typeface/389975/1 "2007-01-29T15:41:51Z")
I only see it nowadays in the string of numbers at the bottom of a preprinted check. Back in the '70s, this font sometimes was used on book titles, etc., for a “futuristic” look. It is in some way associated with computers but I’m not sure how. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2007, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-of-computeresque-typeface/389975/2 "2007-01-29T15:44:36Z")
It’s called [MICR](http://www.asapchecks.com/micr/micr.htm) (sometimes OCR). Optical or magnetic scanners read those numbers at the bottom of your checks. The ink is also magnetic, facilitating machine reading. They are probably associated with futuristic style because they were an early form of computer-readable text. ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2007, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-of-computeresque-typeface/389975/3 "2007-01-29T15:47:52Z")
The font is called E13B. As far as I know, it is not optically scanable. The numbers are readable based on the amount of magnetic ink within the invisible square that each occupies, not by their shape.