Don’t expect too much logic in a “100 best of all time” list. In order to justify what is essentially a subjective choice, the text (if any) will tend towards advertising copy, full of hype, BS and factoids. FontShop is a retailer, after all. Compare this selection with the book Fifty Typefaces that Changed the World. (I wouldn’t waste my time, but if you are interested in top lists…)
I think Syntax might have been first in terms of being based on the proportions of a renaissance roman book face. The fact that it was first released by Stempel under the name 'Syntax Antiqua' is revealing: this is not a term usually applied to sans serif type.
Comments
In order to justify what is essentially a subjective choice, the text (if any) will tend towards advertising copy, full of hype, BS and factoids.
FontShop is a retailer, after all.
Compare this selection with the book Fifty Typefaces that Changed the World.
(I wouldn’t waste my time, but if you are interested in top lists…)