Franklin Gothic was designed between 1903 and 1912 by Morris Fuller Benton for the American Type Founders Company. The font serves as the American Grotesk prototype. It was named after Benjamin Franklin.

Even today, Franklin Gothic remains one of the most widely used sans serif typefaces. The robust character of the font gives text a modern feel.

It is widely used in newspapers and advertising and is frequently seen in posters, placards and other material where space is restricted.