Franklin Gothic, one of the most popular sans serif types ever produced, was designed by Morris Fuller Benton in 1902 for American Type Founders. In 1979, under license with ATF, Vic Caruso began work on more weights of the design for ITC.

This version adheres closely to the subtle thick and thin pattern of the original design; the slightly enlarged x-height and condensed proportions of the new version result in greater economy of space.

This typeface is a standard choice for use in newspapers and advertising. In 1991, David Berlow completed the family for ITC by creating compressed and condensed weights. ITC Franklin Gothic Compressed is designed especially to solve impossibly tight copyfitting problems, while maintaining high legibility standards. ITC Franklin Condensed provides medium weights of narrow proportions.

It is frequently seen in newspapers, advertisements, posters, and anyplace with space restrictions.