Castor is an experimental typeface consisting of 109 glyphs. These glyphs were developed by closely examining the toothmarks and patterns left by a beaver (Castor Canadensis) on a log found in Pennsylvania in 2020. The typeface was created by Patricio González at W Type Foundry as part of Marianne Hoffmeister’s ongoing research project, A Study of Beaverness. This project delves into a beaver-centric imaginarium, introducing an exploration that highlights animals as active agents and historical subjects through narratives that traverse geographical regions and periods. The process of crafting Castor began with manually tracing three sides of the log, followed by the conversion of these marks into distinct glyphs. A writing loop was then introduced to disrupt the linear nature of the typeface. This loop allows each typed letter to initiate a sequence of exchanges, resulting in a multitude of combinations and textures. This was supported by the Language and Creation Center, Faculty of Architecure, Design and Construction at University of the Americas in Santiago, Chile.

Special thanks to resident beaver (Castor Canadensis) of the Monongahela River, PA, Summer 2020.