3 ms·

I think boxes are extra when all you need is elegant typography.

• hsmyers 15y ago
  In looking at my books pre 1930, boxes were primarily reserved for photographs and illustrations in general. Seldom for text.
  • mhd 15y ago
    Boxes became quite popular when DTP programs came on the market, just because all of a sudden it was easily doable, the same with different colored backgrounds (even if it was just shades of gray). Generally not a good idea for a simple, b/w, serious layout. If I remember correctly, even horizontal rules weren't that common back in the days. German/Swiss typography called them "English lines", so I assume they were more common in the UK.
    • fhars 15y ago
      There is this G.B. Shaw quote at the end of chapter 21 of the TeXbook: There is not in existence a page with a rule on it that cannot be instantly and obviously improved by taking the rule out.
• alecbenzer 15y ago
  The boxes are also in a different font. I think the look would improve significantly if he got rid of them and made the font consistent.