Designed by Morris Fuller Benton at ATF in 1937 [McGrew 1993] or 1938 [Reichardt 2011]. The Amsterdam Type Foundry version was known as Iris.

Revived by Font Bureau (1989–94), who added an italic and a lowercase, both unavailable in the original. Sold to Monotype in May 2023, along with other Berlow typefaces [Monotype PR].

Digital versions are also available from LetterPerfect (as Silhouette, 1990), Letraset (as Iris, 1990), and TreacyFaces (as TF Empire State).