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Open Culture

The Strange History of Lorem Ipsum: How Cicero’s Words Became the World’s Favorite Placeholder Text

Lorem Ipsum, the standard dummy text used in publishing and graphic design, originated from a misattributed passage of Cicero's Latin writings, which were later altered and combined with other language fragments. It became widely used in the 1980s with the rise of desktop publishing, particularly through Aldus PageMaker, and was later digitized by Laura Perry. The text's origins and evolution were explored by Emily Zhang, revealing historical details about its adoption and transformation over time.

What happened

Lorem Ipsum, the common placeholder text in design, originated from scrambled Latin passages, including words by Cicero, and was first used in the 1960s by Letraset.

Why it matters

It shows how historical texts can evolve into modern tools, highlighting the unexpected ways culture and technology intersect.

Why it belongs here

This story offers a quiet look at the hidden history behind everyday design practices, connecting past and present through curiosity and creativity.

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