<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2014%2F02%2F27%2Ftech%2Fweb%2Fhelvetica-typographer-dies%2Findex.html">Mike Parker</a>, considered the "godfather" of the Helvetica font family, died on Sunday, February 23.
Famous Helvetica-inspired logos —
Mike Parker, considered the "godfather" of the Helvetica font family, died on Sunday, February 23.
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Popular logos such as American Apparel's use typefaces that incorporate or are inspired by Helvetica.
Famous Helvetica-inspired logos —
Popular logos such as American Apparel's use typefaces that incorporate or are inspired by Helvetica.
AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON
Parker was featured in a 2007 documentary, "Helvetica," about the widely used font. You've seen a version inspired by it at Crate & Barrel.
Famous Helvetica-inspired logos —
Parker was featured in a 2007 documentary, "Helvetica," about the widely used font. You've seen a version inspired by it at Crate & Barrel.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
In the film "Helvetica," Parker praised the "firm" nature of the font, which inspired the typeface for the Sears logo.
Famous Helvetica-inspired logos —
In the film "Helvetica," Parker praised the "firm" nature of the font, which inspired the typeface for the Sears logo.
Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The original predigital Helvetica font, born as "Neue Haas Grotesk" in 1957, is different from the font we know today. Microsoft is one company whose logo took inspiration from Helvetica.
Famous Helvetica-inspired logos —
The original predigital Helvetica font, born as "Neue Haas Grotesk" in 1957, is different from the font we know today. Microsoft is one company whose logo took inspiration from Helvetica.
Denis Doyle/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Parker "oversaw its development into a font published for the Linotype machines," his son Harry Parker said.
Famous Helvetica-inspired logos —
Parker "oversaw its development into a font published for the Linotype machines," his son Harry Parker said.
FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images
Parker also served as historian for the Font Bureau, a typeface design foundry. One of his colleagues recalls how he sometimes complained about fonts he once had overseen being used on trucks and such.
Famous Helvetica-inspired logos —
Parker also served as historian for the Font Bureau, a typeface design foundry. One of his colleagues recalls how he sometimes complained about fonts he once had overseen being used on trucks and such.
Carla Gottgens/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The man who helped bring the popular Helvetica font to widespread use was originally interested in becoming a geologist. Target's logo takes inspiration from Helvetica, too.
Famous Helvetica-inspired logos —
The man who helped bring the popular Helvetica font to widespread use was originally interested in becoming a geologist. Target's logo takes inspiration from Helvetica, too.
Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The company 3M chose the Helvetica Neue Condensed font family for its logo. 3M's website explains: "In order to present a contemporary image for the 3M brand, a more contemporary version of the Helvetica family has been selected as the primary typeface for our communications."
Famous Helvetica-inspired logos —
The company 3M chose the Helvetica Neue Condensed font family for its logo. 3M's website explains: "In order to present a contemporary image for the 3M brand, a more contemporary version of the Helvetica family has been selected as the primary typeface for our communications."
Steve Dykes/Getty Images
Describing the characters of the Helvetica font, Parker said, "It's a letter that lives in a powerful matrix of surrounding space." Staples' typeface was inspired by Helvetica, with a distinctive modification on the "L."
Famous Helvetica-inspired logos —
Describing the characters of the Helvetica font, Parker said, "It's a letter that lives in a powerful matrix of surrounding space." Staples' typeface was inspired by Helvetica, with a distinctive modification on the "L."
JB REED/Getty Images
The Helvetica typeface has inspired many well-known logos, in addition to being incorporated into signs at the New York subway and on tax forms.
Famous Helvetica-inspired logos —
The Helvetica typeface has inspired many well-known logos, in addition to being incorporated into signs at the New York subway and on tax forms.
Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg via Getty Images
"My dad didn't draw Helvetica, but he was very instrumental in it," Harry Parker said.
Famous Helvetica-inspired logos —
"My dad didn't draw Helvetica, but he was very instrumental in it," Harry Parker said.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images